The bill amends Section 16-2-2 of the General Laws in Chapter 16-2, which pertains to the requirements for city and town schools, including the school year, location, and kindergartens. The amendment introduces flexibility in the scheduling of the school year, allowing school districts to establish a school year equivalent to 180 days through the use of longer school days or a combination of longer and shorter school days. The key requirement is that the school district must still provide a minimum of 1,080 school hours in a single school year, even if the number of separate days is less than 180. The previous requirement of a minimum of six hours per school day has been deleted, and the language has been updated to ensure that districts provide the required instructional hours while also allowing for flexibility in the delivery of educational services.

Additionally, the bill specifies that school districts intending to utilize this flexibility must submit a detailed school day plan and a proposed school calendar to the commissioner of elementary and secondary education for approval. The commissioner is instructed not to unreasonably deny the plan and/or the calendar. The amendment also acknowledges the importance of professional development and allows for the flexible use of early release days, provided that the yearly requirement of 1,080 school hours is met. The act would take effect upon passage and clarifies that the intent is to permit school districts flexibility while still ensuring the provision of the minimum amount of instructional time.

Statutes affected:
2532  SUB A: 16-2-2
2532: 16-2-2