Five-day school week bill clears committee

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – A plan to force more Oklahoma school districts to return to five-day school weeks has cleared a Senate committee.

The Senate Education Committee voted 11-6 on Tuesday for the bill by Claremore Republican Sen. Marty Quinn. Senate Bill 441 now heads to the full Senate.

According to the State Department of Education, 92 of Oklahoma’s more than 500 school districts are currently operating on four-day school weeks.

Quinn and supporters of his bill say there’s little evidence to suggest the four-day week results in better student performance or significant cost savings.

Under his bill, school districts would be able to continue with four-day school weeks if student performance meets or exceeds the state average and if the district can provide evidence of cost savings.