Columbia Public Schools announced it will discontinue its Alternative Methods of Instruction (AMI) program, effectively ending remote learning on days when schools are closed for bad weather. The district will return to traditional snow days, a decision prompted by a recent change in Missouri state law.
The policy shift means students will no longer be required to complete assignments from home during inclement weather closures. The district communicated this change to families in an email on Friday evening, ahead of a school board meeting scheduled for Monday.
Key Takeaways
- Columbia Public Schools is eliminating the mandatory remote learning (AMI) program for snow days.
- The change is due to Missouri Senate Bill 68, which gives districts more flexibility regarding instructional day requirements.
- The district's academic calendar already exceeds state minimums for instructional time, so no makeup days will be required.
- Optional learning materials, called "choice boards," will still be available for families who wish to use them.
- The Columbia School Board will review the updated policy and calendars at its upcoming meeting.
State Law Prompts Policy Reversal
The primary driver behind this decision is a new state law, Senate Bill 68, which took effect on August 28. This legislation reversed a previous mandate that encouraged the use of AMI days to meet state funding requirements.
Under the old law, school districts needed to be in session for at least 169 days to qualify for certain state funds. AMI days allowed them to count remote learning as an official school day. The new law provides the state's commissioner of education with the authority to grant exceptions for circumstances like severe weather.
Understanding the Legal Shift
Senate Bill 68 provides school districts with greater autonomy in managing their academic calendars. By allowing the commissioner of education to waive the minimum session requirements for inclement weather, the state acknowledges the logistical challenges schools face and removes the financial pressure to implement remote learning during closures.
According to Columbia Public Schools, the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) defines inclement weather broadly. The definition includes events such as ice, snow, extreme cold, excessive heat, flooding, and tornadoes.
Sufficient Instructional Time Already in Place
In its communication to families, the district explained that its current academic calendar is robust enough to accommodate traditional snow days without needing makeup days. This is a critical factor that makes the policy change feasible without extending the school year.
The district's calendar surpasses both of the state's minimum requirements for instructional time. It exceeds the 169 instructional day minimum and the 1,044 instructional hour threshold.
By the Numbers: Columbia's School Calendar
- Total Instructional Hours: 1,104 hours
- State Minimum Requirement: 1,044 hours
- Built-in Makeup Hours: 36 hours
This buffer of 60 hours beyond the state minimum allows the district to absorb several snow days without impacting the scheduled last day of school.
Because of this surplus of instructional time, the district confirmed that the last day of school will not change, even with the reintroduction of traditional snow days. This provides certainty for families and staff when planning for the end of the academic year.
Optional Learning Resources to Remain
While mandatory remote learning is ending, Columbia Public Schools acknowledged that some families found the AMI resources beneficial. To accommodate this, the district will continue to provide optional learning materials for use during school closures.
"The district also recognizes many families liked the option of having the AMI learning choice boards available on days when school is not in session," the district stated in its email. "The district is updating the choice boards and will have them available next month should families choose to utilize them."
These "choice boards" offer a collection of activities and exercises that students can complete voluntarily. This hybrid approach allows for the return of a true day off for students while still offering educational engagement for those who want it.
This ensures that learning can continue in an informal, stress-free manner, giving parents a tool to keep children occupied without the pressure of required assignments and grades.
Next Steps and Calendar Updates
The Columbia School Board is set to formalize these changes. An update on the school calendar is on the agenda for its public meeting on Monday at 6:30 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Aslin Administration Building, located at 1818 W. Worley St.
The board's meeting agenda indicates several administrative updates to reflect the new policy. The district will officially remove all AMI language from its 2025-26 and 2026-27 academic calendars.
Additionally, a small but symbolic change will be made to the district's published calendar. The snowflake graphics, which were previously used to mark potential inclement weather days, will be removed. This action finalizes the transition away from the AMI system and back to a more traditional approach to weather-related school closures.
The decision marks a significant shift for the district, moving away from a model adopted by many schools during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. It reflects a broader conversation in education about the effectiveness and necessity of remote learning versus the value of traditional snow days for students and families.