Bill > H437

This bill allows the Mohawk Trail Regional School District to operate with fewer than the standard minimum number of school days per year and to implement a four-day school week, provided that students in grades 7 through 12 receive at least 990 hours of "structured learning time" annually, and students in grades 1 through 6 receive at least 900 hours of "structured learning time" annually. "Structured learning time" is defined as time spent in regularly scheduled instruction, learning activities, or assessments within the curriculum for "core subjects" (which include standard academic subjects and approved vocational technical education programs) and "other subjects" (subjects other than core academic subjects that are required or approved by the school committee). This definition specifically excludes time for meals, passing between classes, homeroom, recess, non-directed study, "school services" (services to protect or improve student well-being or readiness to learn, like special education support or health screenings), and "optional school programs" (enrichment activities like clubs, driver education, or sports). The bill also permits the school committee to set a separate schedule for kindergarten programs.