THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE BILL

INTRODUCED BY GROVE, BEAR, BOYD, CALTAGIRONE, D. COSTA, GINGRICH, KAUFFMAN, MILNE, RAPP, STERN AND SWANGER, JANUARY 26, 2011

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, JANUARY 26, 2011  

AN ACT

Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An

act relating to the public school system, including certain

provisions applicable as well to private and parochial

schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the

laws relating thereto," in terms and courses of study,

further providing for minimum number of days and school

month.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1.  Section 1501 of the act of March 10, 1949

(P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949,

amended June 30, 1980 (P.L.279, No.80), is amended to read:

Section 1501.  Minimum Number of Days; School Month.--(a)  

All public kindergartens, elementary and secondary schools shall

be kept open each school year for at least one hundred eighty

(180) days of instruction for pupils.

(b)  (1)  No days on which the schools are closed shall be

counted as days taught[, and no time shall be counted as a pupil

session for any activity to which admission is charged].

(2)  Educational experiences sanctioned by a school,

including field trips or other experiences, that are paid for

wholly or in part by students, parents or guardians shall be

counted as instructional time for the purposes of this section.

(c)  No school district shall be required to change its

graduation schedule or require graduating students to return to

school after graduation to make up class days lost due to severe

weather conditions or, in the school year 1979-1980 for

situations beyond the control of the school district as a result

of major construction and renovation to the school building.

(d)  No district which makes a bona fide effort as determined

by the Secretary of Education to provide one hundred eighty

(180) days of instruction for graduating students shall receive

less subsidy payments or reimbursements than it would otherwise

be entitled to receive on account of the school year because of

the provisions of this section.

(e)  Unless otherwise provided by this act, the board of

school directors in any district or joint board may keep such

other schools or departments as it may establish open during

such time as it may direct.

(f)  Twenty days of actual teaching shall constitute a school

month.

Section 2.  This act shall take effect July 1, 2011, or

immediately, whichever is later.