Increase the number of snow days from 2 to 5 instead of resorting to online learning (E-Learning)

 

 

The purpose of this bill is to increase the number of allowed snow days in Minnesota schools from 2 to 5 before being

required to transition to online learning to ensure equity between students, student well-being, and acknowledging harsh

winter conditions in Minnesota.

 

 

According to the American Immigration Council, 1 in 17 people lacked standard internet. In addition to this statistic,

many houses experience power outages or have unreliable Wi-Fi during winter storms, especially those in rural or

low-income areas, making online learning days difficult or impossible. Students consistently report lower motivation and

decreased academic focus when resorted to learning from home, making emergency distance learning less effective and

often a waste of instructional time. Increasing allowable snow days provides a more balanced solution that maintains

educational motivation for students while ensuring equality, protecting student well being, and acknowledging the

unavoidable winter conditions in Minnesota.

 

Snow day- A full school day canceled due to hazardous winter weather conditions

Online learning- instruction occurring digitally instead of in person learning

Minnesota school district- any Minnesota public school district governed by the Minnesota department of education

 

This bill does not require new state funding. Schools will continue using the resources and technology they already

have. Staff salaries and operating costs are already covered under existing district budgets, and snow days are built

into school-year planning. The Minnesota Department of Education will oversee the policy change and report any

unexpected funding issues.

 

 

School districts that do not follow the five-day snow day requirement and switch to online learning too early will be

reviewed by the Minnesota Department of Education. If a district is found out of compliance, they may be required to

submit a plan explaining how they will correct the issue and follow the policy in the future.

 

This act should take effect on the first school year after it gets passed.