Ohio students could have longer school year due to snow days

OHIO — Ohio students may be enjoying the multiple snow days already called this year, but too many will require students to go to school longer.

Ohio schools no longer operate under a fixed number of calamity days. Instead, traditional school districts, joint vocational school districts, and chartered nonpublic schools must meet state-mandated minimum instructional hours.

If closures due to snow or other reasons cause schools to fall below these requirements, districts must make up the time.

Minimum Hour Requirements

The state law mandates the following minimum instructional hours per school year:

• 455 hours for half-day kindergarten.
• 910 hours for full-day kindergarten through grade 6.
• 1,001 hours for grades 7-12.

Community schools must meet a minimum of 920 instructional hours, which remains unchanged from previous requirements.

No More Calamity Days

Since the 2014-2015 school year, Ohio districts using hour-based schedules no longer have a set number of “calamity days.” Instead, schools can plan for “excess hours” above the minimum requirement to avoid extending the academic year.

If closures reduce a district’s hours below the required minimum, schools must extend their calendar to meet state standards.

Making Up Missed Time

Districts may use online day plans to make up instructional time in certain circumstances.

These plans allow schools to deliver up to three days of lessons online, providing an alternative to adding in-person days to the schedule.

Schedule Changes and Public Hearings

Traditional school district boards must hold a public hearing at least 30 days before adopting any changes to their schedule, ensuring transparency and community input.

For more information on minimum instructional hours and related requirements, visit the Ohio Department of Education website.