State Education Officials Outline Flexibility Plan For Snow Day Make Up

Kyle Stokes / StateImpact Indiana

Severe weather has cancelled classes in many Indiana school districts this winter.

Indiana schools that have cancelled class because of winter weather will be permitted to make up that time by adding hours to the school day.

State education officials announced Thursday a plan to give districts more flexibility in how they make up days missed because of snow or ice.

“As Hoosiers, we always expect harsh winter weather,” state superintendent Glenda Ritz said in a statement. “However, this year’s storms have been extreme and have interrupted instruction for schools throughout the state.”

Typically schools add days during Spring Break or at the end of the year, but many Indiana schools have missed more time than could be made up before state standardized tests next month. Schools that would rather add additional time to the school day can apply for a waiver from the Indiana Department of Education.

Adding about an hour each school day for a week would allow a school to apply for a one-day waiver.

Schools don’t have to make up time missed during a two-hour late start.