Ohio schools hard hit by this year's snows still have five calamity days for canceling classes without having to make up the lost time.
That will change next year. Districts will have only three calamity days beginning in the 2010-11 school year.
Educators, state officials and others said making up lost days can complicate school planning and even add costs, at times. But many support reducing calamity days in favor of providing as much class time as possible for students.
They said instructional time is necessary as schools in Ohio and around the country look to improve student achievement.
The cutback was a compromise after legislators decided against Gov. Ted Strickland's more extensive proposal to add 20 more school days over the next 10 years.
