COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio school officials squeezed by severe winter weather that has forced them to cancel classes on multiple occasions are getting some relief.
The Ohio House is preparing to vote on a proposal that would let districts take up to four additional days off this year due to extreme weather.
Ohio’s state superintendent has also extended the window for third- through eighth-graders to take state achievement tests. He expanded the normal three-week window to four weeks.
Snowstorms and bitter cold have prompted many districts across the state to exhaust their five allowable calamity days. Some have cancelled classes for 10 or more days.
Republican Gov. John Kasich has been among those advocating adding extra snow days on a one-time basis this year. Expected House approval Wednesday would send the bill to the Ohio Senate.
Another legislative proposal would excuse high school seniors from makeup days that fall after their graduation ceremonies.
Districts scrambling to keep pace with classroom topics that students face on the Ohio Achievement Tests starting in April will also get some breathing-room.
Ohio Superintendent Richard Ross told members of the state school board Tuesday that the testing window will be expanded from three weeks to four weeks, running from April 21 to May 16.
The timetable for administering the Ohio Graduation Test has not changed.