This bill, Minnesota Senate File No. 2250, proposes modifications to the state's school year and hours of instruction requirements as outlined in Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 120A.41. The key changes and provisions include:

1. Minimum Instructional Hours:

   • Kindergarten (half-day): At least 425 hours per year.
   • Full-day Kindergarten: At least 850 hours per year.
   • Grades 1-6: At least 935 hours per year.
   • Grades 7-12: At least 1,020 hours per year.
   • Prekindergarten (if offered by the district under section 142D.08): At least 350 hours per year.
   • School Year Length: At least 165 days of instruction for grades 1-11, unless the district has an approved four-day week schedule.

2. Online Instruction for Inclement Weather:

   • A school board may include up to five days of instruction conducted online due to bad weather.
   • Plans for such instruction must meet the requirements outlined in section 120A.414.

3. Definition of Hours of Instruction at Secondary Schools:

   • Instructional hours include all educational experiences that:
     • Allow students to earn academic credit (per section 120B.018).
     • Are available to all enrolled students.
     • Are supervised, coordinated, and verified by a qualified teacher (defined in section 122A.16).
   • Instructional experiences can:
     • Be part of any approved secondary school course (as determined by a school board under section 123B.09).
     • Occur outside the regular school day or week, but not outside the school year.

4. Protections and Flexibility:

   • The bill ensures that no student is denied access to services or instruction required by state or federal law, including special education services.
   • The Minnesota Department of Education is required to review and update policies to prevent unnecessary restrictions on school districts' ability to offer innovative educational opportunities.
   • No additional funding (pupil units) will be granted based on these modifications.

In summary, the bill clarifies school hour requirements, expands flexibility for secondary school instruction, allows for limited online learning during inclement weather, and ensures state policies do not hinder educational opportunities.