LOUISVILLE, Ky. – A new bill introduced in the Kentucky House of Representatives is aiming to put an end to nontraditional instruction (NTI) days for schools across the state. House Bill 737, proposed by State Representative Steven Doan of District 69, seeks to remove the authorization for schools to use NTI days when schools are closed due to weather or other emergencies.
Currently, Kentucky schools are permitted to use up to 10 NTI days per school year. These days allow students to continue learning remotely, ensuring that their education remains uninterrupted even during inclement weather or unforeseen closures.
However, Representative Doan, who has been vocal about the frustration many of his constituents feel regarding the practice, believes the days are no longer serving their intended purpose. “My constituents are sick and tired of NTI days,” Doan said, emphasizing that many feel the system isn’t working as it was intended.
As of this school year, the state’s largest school district, Jefferson County Public Schools in Louisville, has already used five NTI days, raising concerns among parents and educators about the growing reliance on these days.
While House Bill 737 is still in its early stages, having only been introduced to the Committee on Committees, Doan expressed confidence that there is momentum behind the effort to eliminate NTI days entirely. If the bill passes, it could have widespread implications for how school districts handle closures in the future.
Supporters of the bill argue that eliminating NTI days would encourage schools to find more reliable and effective ways of addressing emergencies, without relying on remote instruction as a workaround. Critics, however, worry that the removal of NTI days could lead to extended school closures during bad weather, which might disrupt students’ learning.
As the bill progresses through the legislative process, its fate remains uncertain, but its introduction signals a growing debate about the future of nontraditional instruction in Kentucky schools.
