Snow Days vs. E-Learning: Schools Adapt to Winter Weather Challenges

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Winter weather has forced widespread school closures across the Louisville area and southern Indiana this week, prompting districts to choose between traditional snow days and e-learning solutions. However, state-specific regulations are shaping how schools navigate these disruptions.

In Kentucky, districts are limited to a maximum of 10 non-traditional instruction (NTI) days, which count toward student attendance. These days must be approved by the Kentucky Commissioner of Education and can only be used for district-wide closures due to health or safety concerns. As of 4:30 p.m. on Jan. 8, 2025, local districts have already begun utilizing their NTI days.

Indiana’s approach is more nuanced. Districts are allowed up to three days of asynchronous learning, defined as self-paced virtual instruction. Any additional days requiring more than 50% asynchronous learning must be approved through a waiver request. Synchronous learning, where teachers deliver live instruction, has no limit and counts toward the state’s required 180 instructional days.

Greater Clark County Schools in Indiana has already exhausted its three asynchronous learning days and has declared traditional snow days for Jan. 9 and 10. These days will be made up later in the school year, on May 6 and 22, 2025. Similarly, New Albany Floyd County Schools has opted for snow days this week, with makeup days scheduled for March 17-20, 2025.

Meanwhile, in central Indiana, the MSD of Lawrence Township has embraced e-learning as a permanent solution. “Those days are gone,” said Dana Altemeyer, the district’s director of communications, referring to traditional snow days. The district ensures all students have take-home devices and connectivity support, allowing virtual learning to continue even during weather-related closures.

For students like Hudson and Clara Sadek, who spent their last day of winter break sledding at Brookside Park, the shift to e-learning has been a mixed experience. “Kind of annoying,” Clara said, “because I don’t have anybody to play with!”

As schools adapt to winter weather challenges, the debate over snow days versus e-learning continues, balancing educational requirements with the joys of childhood winter traditions.