This bill amends the Code of West Virginia to establish a mandatory half day for students once a month during the school year, specifically designated for school staff to engage in instructional planning. The new provision emphasizes that this time is strictly for individual or team teacher planning and cannot be utilized for administrative meetings or training sessions. The bill also includes various amendments to existing definitions and requirements related to instructional days, cocurricular activities, and the school calendar, ensuring that the educational framework supports the new planning time.

Additionally, the bill modifies several sections of the current law, including the definitions of instructional days and cocurricular activities, and it clarifies the structure of the school calendar, including the number of instructional and noninstructional days. Notably, it replaces previous language regarding the number of instructional days and the employment term for educators, while also ensuring that the state board will create rules to implement these changes effectively. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the educational environment by providing teachers with dedicated time for planning, thereby potentially improving instructional quality.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 18-5-45