SF2250

This bill, S.F. No. 2250, proposes modifications to Minnesota's school instruction hours requirements as outlined in Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 120A.41. The key changes in the bill include:

1. Minimum Instruction Hours and Days:

   • Kindergarten: 425 hours per school year.
   • Full-day Kindergarten: 850 hours per school year.
   • Grades 1-6: 935 hours per school year.
   • Grades 7-12: 1,020 hours per school year.
   • Pre-kindergarten (if offered): 350 hours per school year.
   • Grades 1-11: At least 165 instructional days per year, unless a four-day week schedule is approved by the commissioner.

2. Online Instruction Due to Inclement Weather:

   • Schools may include up to five days of online instruction in their annual plan to account for emergency weather closures.
   • These plans must conform to section 120A.414.

3. Definition of Secondary School Instruction Hours:

   • Hours of instruction include all educational experiences that:
     1. Allow students to earn academic credit.
     2. Are available to all enrolled students.
     3. Are supervised, coordinated, and verified by a qualified teacher.
   • Instructional hours can include activities:
     • Offered in any secondary school course prescribed by a school board.
     • Occurring outside regular school hours, but not outside the school year.

4. Special Education and Equal Access:

   • The bill ensures that districts cannot deny a student access to legally required services such as special education under state or federal law.

5. Department of Education Oversight:

   • The Department of Education must regularly review its policies to ensure schools have flexibility in providing educational opportunities.
   • The bill does not modify school funding formulas (pupil units under chapter 126C) or provide additional funding for expanded instructional experiences.

Summary:

This bill revises the instructional time requirements for students from pre-kindergarten to grade 12, ensures flexibility in instructional methods (such as online learning on snow days), defines what qualifies as instructional hours for secondary students, and mandates equitable access to education for all students, including those requiring special services.