Students can trade class work for campaign lessons

Board OKs plan to allow county students up to four school days per year to work on elections

Prince George's County students will soon get up to four schooldays off every year to work for political campaigns.

Students will have to write a report – signed by the candidate – detailing their campaign work, and get consent forms from their parents and a school administrator to exchange school time for campaigning. The excused days must fall within the two weeks prior to an election; two days are allowed for primary elections and an additional two days are allowed for general elections.

The time away from the classroom would be considered an important part of students' education, said school board members, who approved the plan Dec. 3. The policy, which allows for a maximum of four days per year, took effect immediately.