Minn. House votes down measure to stop schools from shortening their days

04/28/2008

By BRIAN BAKST,
Associated Press
Last update: April 28, 2008


Minnesota lawmakers are leaving it up to local leaders to decide the length of the school day.

The state House has refused to bar school districts from making the school day any shorter than it is this year.

House Minority Leader Marty Seifert tried to include the time-keeping measure in an education bill up for debate Monday. The Marshall Republican says students can't afford to lose instruction time.

The amendment failed 72-59. Opponents argued it would tie the hands of district leaders in the best position to decide how long to hold classes.

Minnesota doesn't have a uniform law spelling out the duration of the school day or year.