Oklahoma lawmakers seek return to 5-day school weeks

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – A bill that would force more Oklahoma school districts to return to five-day school weeks has been given final legislative approval and is heading to the Governor’s desk.
A top priority of Senate Republicans this year, the bill passed the House Wednesday on a 63-32 vote.
The state Department of Education says that 92 of Oklahoma’s more than 500 school districts currently are operating on four-day school weeks. In those cases, instructional hours are extended each day to reach the required number of hours.
Under the bill, schools could continue operating four-day weeks if the district meets minimum guidelines for student performance and cost savings.
Supporters of the four-day school week say that it helps districts save money and recruit teachers.