AR HB1237

Beginning with the 2022-2023 school year, Arkansas public schools must start between August 14 and August 26, with the start date falling on the Monday of the week in which August 19 falls, and Labor Day is designated as a mandatory school holiday.

School districts may elect to implement an alternate school calendar requiring a minimum of 1,068 hours of instructional time with at least 30 make-up hours for weather-related closures, with no minimum number of school days required.

Districts implementing alternate calendars must notify the state Division of Elementary and Secondary Education by July 1, post their calendar online by August 1, and input relevant data into state systems for tracking average daily membership and instructional hours.

The definition of "school day" is amended so that for districts using alternate calendars, a school day means classes in session with students under guidance of a teacher or school employee, rather than requiring a minimum of 6 hours of instructional time.

Districts using alternate calendars are ineligible for alternative instruction methods but may apply to operate a virtual learning option, and cannot use waiver provisions to begin school earlier than otherwise permitted.