Ohio Republicans Push to Extending School Year to a Minimum of 1,054 Hours to Boost Student Performance
Columbus, OH – Ohio Republican Adam Bird and Josh Williams are introducing a bill to increase instructional time for grades 7-12 from 1,001 to 1,054 hours per school year. This 53-hour boost aims to enhance student learning, academic performance, and career readiness.
“Time in front of a teacher matters,” Bird stated, emphasizing that extended learning time improves academic success, social skills, and workforce preparedness. The bill allows school districts to decide how to implement the additional hours—whether by extending school days or lengthening the school year.
Currently, Ohio requires fewer instructional hours than several other states. Michigan mandates 1,098 hours, Texas requires 1,260, and South Korea enforces 1,300. Lawmakers argue that increasing classroom time is essential for keeping Ohio competitive on a global scale.
Another driving factor is the lingering impact of COVID-19 learning loss. “Students have not fully recovered,” Bird noted, citing concerns about academic regression and rising absenteeism. Ohio’s chronic absenteeism rate stood at 25.6% for the 2023-2024 school year, reinforcing the need for more structured learning time.
However, teacher unions have raised concerns about funding and effectiveness. Ohio Education Association President Scott DiMauro worries about adding an “unfunded mandate” on already struggling districts. Meanwhile, Melissa Cropper, president of the Ohio Federation of Teachers, argues that increasing time alone won’t necessarily improve outcomes, calling instead for more effective teaching strategies.
With parents expected to support efforts to strengthen education, the debate over extended instructional time continues. Should Ohio schools require longer hours?
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