This bill amends existing provisions regarding the minimum instructional time required for students in various educational settings, including school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools. It establishes that the minimum school day consists of six hours of instructional time for grades one through twelve, excluding lunch but potentially including passing time between classes. The bill removes references to measuring instructional time in hours, instead focusing solely on the number of days, which must be no less than 180 days of instruction.

Additionally, the bill makes several conforming changes to related sections of the law, including the responsibilities of the state board of education in defining the minimum school day and the limits on internet-based instruction. It also clarifies the definitions of truancy and chronic absenteeism by removing references to hours, thereby streamlining the focus on days of attendance. Overall, the bill aims to simplify the requirements for instructional time while ensuring that students receive a consistent and adequate education.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 256.7, 256E.7, 279.10, 256.43, 299.8, 299.1, 299.12