Ohio Faces Snow Days Challenge: Will Schools Extend the Academic Calendar?
Ohio schools are facing unique challenges this winter as severe weather disrupts academic schedules. With Winter Storm Fern bringing extreme cold and significant snowfall, many districts have been forced to close. The issue at hand is whether schools will need to extend the academic calendar to make up for lost days.
Snow Day History and Current Policies
Traditionally, Ohio allowed schools to close for up to five days each year due to emergencies like inclement weather. However, a 2014 law shifted the measurement from days to hours. Now, districts must meet minimum instructional hours instead of worrying about a limited number of calamity days.
New Standards for Instructional Hours
The current requirements for instructional hours in Ohio are as follows:
- 455 hours for half-day kindergarten.
- 910 hours for full-day kindergarten through sixth grade.
- 1,001 hours for grades 7-12.
Charter schools must provide a minimum of 920 hours annually. These variations mean that schools must strategically manage closures to avoid extending the academic year.
Impact of Current Winter Conditions
On January 26 and 27, many schools in Summit County were closed, marking significant disruptions during the winter season. For 2023, many districts in the area have already used several of their closure days. Some parents remember previous years when makeup days were required and worry about repeating history.
District Responses to Snow Days
Most school districts in Summit County have planned for approximately 170 days of instruction, which translates to around 1,020 hours, given a typical six-hour school day. This buffer means districts can lose up to 18 days before requiring makeup sessions in summer.
Remote learning options are also a viable solution for making up lost instructional time. Schools can utilize online instruction to cover some of the lost hours. However, Bedford City Schools indicated that they might fall below the required minimum hours this academic year due to weather-related issues.
Akron Public Schools’ Preparedness
Akron Public Schools officials remain optimistic about not needing to extend the academic calendar. Superintendent Mary Outley assured that the district manages instructional hours carefully. As of January 27, their elementary schools still had, on average, the equivalent of 6.6 days remaining, while secondary schools had 20.9 days before reaching the state’s minimum requirements.
The district hopes to maintain the integrity of the academic calendar without compromising summer break for families.
As Ohio continues to navigate these snowy challenges, schools are adapting to ensure students meet educational standards while keeping safety as a top priority.
