SW Valley Times

Arizona lawmakers are looking for solutions to a potential closure of the state’s schools that could last for the rest of the school year.

A senate bill, known as Senate Bill 1619, would suspend state laws requiring specific hours of instruction and that students attend a certain number of school days. It would also extend the window for assessment tests through the end of May. 

It also made clear that if schools were to reopen by March 30, the day State Superintendent of Public Instruction Kathy Hoffman set for the first day of classes after a two-week closure due to COVID-19, standardized testing would be cancelled as well.

The bill does require that schools offer different formats for students to continue learning. Tucson.com reports that schools would be allowed to continue paying teachers to work from home or take on alternative assignments.

The bill offers online learning for students who have an internet connection, or packets of classwork for those who do not have internet access.

“Our students can’t afford to lose the last quarter of the school year,” said Rep. Michelle Udall in a prepared statement. “We trust our educators and school leaders to do everything in their power to ensure students have the stability and the opportunity to continue to learn during this challenging time.”

Joe Thomas, president of the Arizona Education Association, suggests a variety of ways that students and teachers could learn and teach remotely.

He suggested things like readings, assignments and enrichment activities, like a movie that a parent and child could watch and discuss, open book tests and student-led journaling.

Outside of education specifics, the bill provides school districts flexibility, if they have state funds earmarked for transportation, for example, that they don’t have a reason to spend that way, they will be allowed to reallocate the funding, Udall said.

Udall and Sen. Sylvia Allen authored the legislation.