HB1370
Concerning Making Up Missed School Days; And To Require A Public School District To Include Additional Days Or Hours, As Applicable, In Its School Calendar For The Purpose Of Making Up Missed School Days.
AI-Generated Summary
This bill proposes amendments to Arkansas law concerning how public school districts make up for missed school days due to exceptional or emergency circumstances. It requires public school districts to include an additional seven days, or their hourly equivalent, in their annual school calendars. These added days can be used for school breaks or to cover days lost to emergencies. If these seven days are used, school districts can seek approval from the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education for up to three additional student attendance days or their hourly equivalent, provided they have an approved alternative instruction plan, such as virtual learning. If a district misses more than ten days, they must make them up or apply for additional days with an approved alternative instruction plan. The bill also clarifies what constitutes an "exceptional or emergency circumstance," including contagious disease outbreaks, inclement weather, acts of God, utility outages, and unforeseen human-caused events like active shooter threats. Finally, it amends a section on teacher salary raise eligibility, stating that authorized missed school days using alternative instruction methods will count towards the minimum required instructional days or hours.
Potential Impact Analysis
Who Might Benefit?
['Public school districts in Arkansas would benefit by having a more defined framework for managing missed school days due to emergencies, potentially reducing the need for extensive make-up days that disrupt the regular academic schedule. Students would benefit from continuity in their education, as the bill aims to ensure that a minimum number of instructional days or hours are met, even with unforeseen closures. Educators and school administrators would benefit from clearer guidelines on how to utilize alternative instruction methods and how these contribute to meeting state requirements for funding, particularly for teacher salary raises. The Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education would have defined parameters for approving additional missed days when alternative instruction plans are in place.']
Who Might Suffer?
["If the bill's provisions lead to an increased burden on school districts to implement and manage alternative instruction plans, this could negatively impact their resources and administrative capacity. While the bill aims to ensure instructional time, the implementation of virtual learning or other alternative methods without adequate infrastructure or training could negatively impact the quality of education delivered to students. Furthermore, if the expectation for make-up days or alternative instruction becomes a de facto requirement for all potential closures, it could lead to increased pressure on students and staff to maintain academic rigor in non-traditional settings, potentially causing stress or educational disadvantages for some. School districts that are unable to develop or implement effective alternative instruction plans might find themselves in a disadvantageous position compared to those that can, potentially impacting their eligibility for state funds related to teacher salaries."]