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Bill

A 6012

Permits certain use of virtual or remote instruction by schools during inclement weather to meet minimum 180-day school year requirement.

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Linda Carter and 1 co-sponsor

New Jersey schools can use remote instruction days to meet 180-day requirement during inclement weather, reducing need for summer makeup days.

Introduced in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly Education Committee
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Bill Summary · A 6012

Legislative bill overview

Bill A 6012 allows New Jersey schools to count remote or virtual instruction days toward the mandatory 180-day school year requirement during inclement weather events. Currently, schools must make up snow days or weather closures with in-person instruction, creating scheduling pressures. This bill provides flexibility by permitting schools to use remote learning to satisfy the state's minimum instructional day requirement without additional makeup days.

Why is this important

This addresses a practical challenge schools face in northern climates where weather closures frequently push school years into summer. The bill could reduce calendar disruptions, lower transportation costs, and allow schools to maintain consistent instructional time without extending the academic year. However, it assumes remote instruction provides equivalent educational value to in-person learning—a debated premise with varying research outcomes.

Potential points of contention

  • Educational equity concerns: Students without reliable home internet access or quiet study spaces may fall further behind if remote days become standard, potentially widening achievement gaps between affluent and lower-income districts.
  • Defining "certain use": The bill's vague language about which virtual instruction qualifies leaves implementation details unclear and could allow inconsistent application across districts.
  • Teacher union opposition: Labor groups may resist if remote days increase workload without additional compensation or if they're perceived as undermining job security and the need for substitute teachers.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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