ID S1293

Creates flexible school schedules for academically advanced kindergarten through grade 6 students, permitting partial-day or full-day absences for family activities, recreation, travel, and home-based educational activities.

Requires students on flexible schedules to attend at least 65% of required school hours annually, with state funding calculated based on average attendance rates of other students in the school.

Establishes specific eligibility criteria for kindergarten through grade 3 students: must be advanced in reading, writing, and mathematics as demonstrated by proficiency tests (IRI, ISAT, or local tools) and teacher ratings, plus specific math competency benchmarks for each grade level.

Requires grades 4-6 students to be rated as advanced by their teacher, satisfy all prior grade mathematics requirements, and demonstrate proficiency in all subjects via ISAT, district equivalent tests, or state board criteria.

Makes flexible schedules optional for school districts and public charter schools; allows use of mastery-based criteria for qualification and authorizes the state department of education to review implementation and make recommendations to the legislature.