PRINTER'S NO. 4158
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
2690
Session of
2018
INTRODUCED BY PHILLIPS-HILL, CHARLTON, GROVE, HILL-EVANS,
KEEFER, MARSHALL, ROTHMAN, RYAN, SAYLOR AND WARD,
OCTOBER 3, 2018
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, OCTOBER 3, 2018
AN ACT
Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An
act relating to the public school system, including certain
provisions applicable as well to private and parochial
schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the
laws relating thereto," in terms and courses of study,
providing for flexible instructional days.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known
as the Public School Code of 1949, is amended by adding a
section to read:
Section 1506. Flexible Instructional Days.--(a) Within
thirty (30) days of the effective date of this section, the
department shall establish a standard application form for a
public school entity seeking approval to establish or renew a
program. The form shall be published on the department's
publicly accessible Internet website.
(b) The form under subsection (a) shall require the
following information:
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(1) The procedure for a public school entity to notify
students, parents and professional employes that a flexible
instructional day is instituted.
(2) The procedure for instituting a flexible instructional
day, including whether the public school entity will use
technology.
(3) The responsibilities of professional employes and
students during a flexible instructional day.
(4) The procedure for identifying student participation
during a flexible instructional day for the purpose of enforcing
attendance under Article XIII.
(5) Instruction exemplary of a flexible instruction day in
each of the following:
(i) English language arts in any grade from grades nine
through twelve.
(ii) Mathematics in any grade from grades nine through
twelve.
(iii) Science in any grade from grades nine through twelve.
(iv) Social Studies in any grade from grades nine through
twelve.
(v) English language arts in kindergarten or in any grade
from grades one through eight.
(vi) Mathematics in kindergarten or in any grade from grades
one through eight.
(6) Evidence of compliance with the Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act (Public Law 91-230, 20 U.S.C. ยง 1400
et seq.) during a flexible instructional day.
(7) Any additional information that the department deems
necessary to determine whether to approve or disapprove an
application to establish or renew a program.
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(c) Within forty-five (45) days of receiving a public school
entity's application to establish or renew a program, the
department shall notify the public school entity that submitted
the application whether the department approved or denied the
application.
(d) An approved application under this section shall remain
valid for a period of thirty-six (36) months from the date that
the department approved the application.
(e) As used in this section, the following words and phrases
shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection:
"Department" shall mean the Department of Education of the
Commonwealth.
"Flexible instructional day" shall mean a day that satisfies
all of the following:
(1) Fulfills one of the minimum required days of instruction
under section 1501.
(2) Prevents a school building from opening due to any of
the following:
(i) A disease epidemic.
(ii) A hazardous weather condition.
(iii) A law enforcement emergency.
(iv) The inoperability of school buses or other equipment
necessary to the public school entity's operation.
(v) Damage to a school building.
(vi) Another temporary circumstance due to utility failure
rendering the school building unfit for school use.
(3) Provides instruction to students.
"Program" shall mean a program that allows for a number of
flexible instructional days not to exceed five (5) days during a
school year.
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"Public school entity" shall mean any of the following:
(1) A school district.
(2) An intermediate unit.
(3) An area vocational-technical school.
(4) A charter school or regional charter school, as defined
in section 1703-A.
"School building" shall mean a building owned by or under the
control of a public school entity where classes are taught or
extracurricular activities are conducted on a regular basis.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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