WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HB 1940

TO ESTABLISH THE REQUIREMENTS FOR A PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT THAT INITIATES AND MAINTAINS A FOUR-DAY SCHOOL WEEK; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Stan Berry and 17 co-sponsors

House Bill 1940 aimed to let Arkansas school districts adopt a four-day week, enhancing flexibility and potentially improving educational outcomes, but it died in committee.

Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment.
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 1940

Summary of House Bill 1940

Bill Number: HB 1940
Title: To Establish the Requirements for a Public School District that Initiates and Maintains a Four-Day School Week; and to Declare an Emergency
Status: Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment
Introduced: March 31, 2025
Sponsor: Representative Walker

Purpose and Intent

House Bill 1940 aimed to provide public school districts in Arkansas with the authority to implement a four-day school week. The bill sought to grant local districts greater flexibility in scheduling instructional time, with the intent of enhancing educational outcomes and potentially reducing operational costs.

Key Provisions

The bill included several important provisions:

  1. Definition of Four-Day School Week:

    • A "four-day school week" is defined as an educational program where students attend school for four days, maintaining the total number of instructional hours equivalent to a traditional five-day week.

  2. Authority of School Districts:

    • Local school district boards were empowered to initiate and maintain a four-day school week without needing approval from the State Board of Education.

  3. Instructional Requirements:

    • Schools adopting a four-day week must average six hours of instruction per day and 30 hours per week. This could be achieved through four days of seven-and-a-half-hour instructional days.
    • High schools must meet specific clock-hour requirements for Carnegie units.

  4. Documentation and Assessment:

    • Districts must provide documentation to the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education to assess the success of the four-day program, including state-approved testing measures.
    • The four-day week must be included in the district's annual report to gauge community support.

  5. State Aid Distribution:

    • The bill stipulated that districts would not receive more state financial aid for operating a four-day week than they would for a traditional five-day week.

  6. Emergency Clause:

    • An emergency clause was included, stating that the bill was necessary for school districts to establish their calendars for the upcoming school year, ensuring timely preparations for staffing and operations.

Affected Parties

  • Public School Districts: The primary beneficiaries would be local school districts seeking to implement a four-day school week.
  • Students and Families: Students and their families would experience changes in the school schedule, potentially impacting childcare and family routines.
  • State Education Authorities: The State Board of Education and the Department of Education would have reduced oversight regarding the scheduling decisions of local districts.

Procedural Aspects

  • The bill was introduced on March 31, 2025, and underwent several legislative actions, including amendments and readings.
  • It was reported correctly engrossed on April 2, 2025, but ultimately died in committee on May 5, 2025, at Sine Die adjournment, meaning it did not progress to a vote.

Conclusion

House Bill 1940 represented an effort to modernize school scheduling in Arkansas by allowing for a four-day school week. While it aimed to provide flexibility and potential benefits for educational outcomes, the bill did not advance past the committee stage and thus did not become law.

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

Sign in to ask a question.