Instructional Time Executive Order Remarks

April 16, 2026 

Good morning. I just spoke with the State Board of Education, which is meeting today. I spoke with them directly about the executive order I am about to discuss with you. I believe it is incredibly important for students and their families that I take action today to protect student time in the classroom. 

Right now, a number of school districts are facing tough budget decisions, and in some cases, that could mean less time in the classroom for students. But that instructional time is critical for Oregon’s students. Students in our state already spend less time in the classroom than most students in this country – in fact, fewer hours than all but a handful of states. 

We can and we must do better for our kids.  

That’s why today I’m issuing an executive order to protect and restore student instructional time in Oregon schools. This is about prioritizing academic outcomes and student wellbeing to ensure every student has access to consistent, high-quality learning. 

My executive order will do several things for our students: 

First, it preserves current student instructional time and protects that time from further cuts. Districts who have already made the hard decision to reduce time this year or in the coming school year must submit plans that show how they will restore student instructional time by 2027-28. It sets the expectation to maintain a baseline so more students do not lose valuable time with their teachers and peers. 

Second, it ends instructional time waivers that allow districts to fall below minimum required hours – except in cases of declared emergencies.  

And third, it refocuses time on classroom learning, ensuring that instructional hours mean actual hours spent between students and teachers.  

Too many Oregon students are not getting the time in the classroom that they need to succeed. We cannot expect better student outcomes if we continue to give our students less time to learn. Research shows us that reduced instructional time negatively impacts student learning, particularly for students already facing disparities – widening a gap we know we must close. 

Protecting and strengthening student instructional time is essential to improving student achievement and setting our kids up for long-term success. My order aims to expand opportunities for academic growth while also supporting students’ social, emotional and behavioral development.  

I know that local school district decisions aren’t easy. I want our school leaders and educators to know that I understand the hard decisions you are tasked with making. I know you’re working hard in a complex economic environment. I know resources are constrained. And I know the path forward won’t necessarily be simple or easy. 

Bult I also know, as you do, that our kids are worth it. The future of Oregon is worth it. And sometimes as leaders, we must do the hard thing – especially when it’s the right thing. Sometimes we must work with what we have and find a way forward. 

The state is committed to being a partner with school districts in finding solutions that work for their communities while also protecting what matters most:  time for students to learn.