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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2019 - 2020
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | March 1, 2019 03:46 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Karen Boback |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Flexible Instructional Days for Public Schools |
| In the near future, I will be introducing legislation that provides public school entities with Flexible Instructional Days (FIDs). FIDs will allow students to complete school assignments remotely, thus allowing a public school entity to cancel classes without losing an instruction day. For example, a FID could be used due to a hazardous weather condition or damage to a school building. The PA Department of Education (PDE) will establish a standard application form for a public school seeking approval to establish or renew a FID program. An approved application will remain valid for 36 months from the approval date. The FID program will allow for up to 5 flexible instructional days during a school year. In addition, a public school entity will notify the PDE of its procedures to notify students, parents/ guardians, and professional employees of the usage of a FID, as well as the procedure for instituting a FID, including whether the public school entity will use technology. Currently, PDE authorizes school entities to use a maximum number of FIDs in a school year. My legislation codifies PDE’s three-year pilot program that expired at the end of the last school year. As a former educator, I appreciate the ability to keep the momentum of the curriculum going without a significant break due to matters beyond control of the school district. FIDs will do just that. I hope you will join me in co-sponsoring this legislation. |
Introduced as HB964