Data Shows How Much Time South Dakota Kids Spend in Class

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — The South Dakota Department of Education has released new data on the amount of time students in the state spent in the classroom last year.

It found that fourth- and fifth-grade students in the Sioux Falls School District had less instruction time than most other students in the state, and Rapid City students spent among the most time in school.

The data was broken down by school at the request of state lawmakers looking into potential changes in the school funding formula. It shows schools vary widely in the amount of hours in the classroom students logged last year.

The Argus Leader reports state law requires schools to meet a minimum number of hours each year. The required hours vary by grade level.

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