The state House approved a bill Thursday that would allow school districts to make up missed days in increments of 60 minutes.
House Bill 1313, sponsored by Rep. Charlotte Douglas, R-Alma, will give school districts flexibility in how they make up school days missed because of inclement weather.
"As you have seen the last couple of days, we have a state of emergency over most of our state in snow days," Douglas said. "This is just one part of a bigger picture of how they can make up their days using holidays, professional development days, spring break and at the end of the school [year]."
Douglas said districts would have the ability to add at least 60 minutes to the end of the school day to make up missed days, which would allow schools to make up missed test preparation or remediation during the school year.
She said she has received positive feedback from superintendents, teachers, students and parents.
"It's local control at its best," she said.
No one spoke for or against the bill, and it passed with 97 voting for the bill and none voting against it.
The bill will now head to the Senate.
See Friday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.
