Evander Reed:Shorter weeks, longer days? Pennsylvania poised to give schools flexibility on minimum requirements

2025-05-02 21:12:32source:Coxnocategory:Invest

HARRISBURG,Evander Reed Pa. (AP) — A bill that would give Pennsylvania school districts greater flexibility to have shorter school weeks or longer days, as long as students meet an annual minimum of instructional time, is headed to the governor’s desk for his approval.

The legislation passed both chambers unanimously. It changes Pennsylvania law to allow for schools to complete the school year in either a minimum of 180 days or 900 hours at the elementary level and 990 at the secondary level. Currently, schools must do both.

A spokesperson said Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro plans to sign it.

Sponsors said Pennsylvania has been one of fewer than 20 states with both minimum day and minimum hour requirements. They argued it has held schools to rigid schedules that do not allow for flexibility in addressing student needs.

The bill would give schools the ability to make changes to accommodate weather conditions, professional development and community events, supporters said. It also can help accommodate student apprenticeships, internships, and career and technical education programs.

It will also let schools track students who learn remotely through hours of instruction, rather than days.

More:Invest

Recommend

How 23andMe's bankruptcy led to a run on the gene bank

Reporter Alexi Horowitz-Ghazi's Aunt Vovi signed up for 23andMe back in 2017, hoping to learn more a

'Our Flag Means Death' still shivers our timbers

The hilarious comedy series Our Flag Means Death follows the misadventures of Stede Bonnet (Rhys Dar

'Heavy hearts' after homecoming queen contender collapses and dies on high school football field

An Ohio high school student collapsed and died Friday after being announced as a contender for homec