Bill would limit Ohio school year

Associated Press

DAYTON

A bill introduced in the Ohio House would require public schools to provide more hours of instruction, instead of the current set number of class days, but limit the school year for most of them to between Labor Day and Memorial Day.

Supporters say it would create a longer summer break and could boost tourism, but some lawmakers worry it doesn’t fit students’ best interests, the Dayton Daily News reported.

The Buckeye Association of School Administrators supports the increased hours requirement but not the limit on the school calendar because it takes away from local control, said Tom Ash, the group’s director of governmental relations.

Under existing requirements, schools in Ohio must offer 182 days of instruction in a school year, which includes calamity days, with each school day including five or five-and-a-half hours depending on grade level.

The bill would require 50 more hours for students, a level some schools already meet or exceed.