The DPI's Content and Learning Days and Hours of = Instruction

From: Subject: The DPI's Content and Learning Days and Hours of Instruction Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2007 10:21:23 -0500 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/html; charset="Windows-1252" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Location: file://\\wimad-websvr1\EAWaukesha\faq_files\Days and Hours of Instruction.htm X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2900.3138 The DPI's Content and Learning Days and Hours of = Instruction

The=20 Law

Overview<= /P>

Administrative = Rule

Definition=20 of Terms

Meeting=20 Standard (f)

Questions = and=20 Answers

For more information contact:
Mary Parks =
Wisconsin=20 DPI
PO Box 7841
Madison, WI 53707-7841
(608) 266-3706=20 Office
(608) 266-1965 FAX=20

Welcome to the Days and Hours of Instruction component of the = Content=20 and Learning Team's website

Questions and Answers

1. How are the hours of a school day computed?

A school day is determined from the start to the close of each=20 student's daily instructional schedule. Evidence of the = instructional=20 schedule includes the school bell schedule and teachers' daily = schedule of=20 lessons or classes.

2. Should a school district schedule 180 or 175 days of=20 instruction?

The schedule must include 180 days. Of these, five may be used = for=20 parent-teacher conferences or for inclement weather. It is = recommended=20 that the required number of school hours be scheduled within 175 = days of=20 instruction. In this way, missing instructional hours due to = inclement=20 weather and parent-teacher conferences will not need to be=20 rescheduled.

3. The first bell for a particular school rings at 8:15 a.m. = The next=20 bell rings at 8:25 a.m., at which time all students are expected = to be in=20 the building and on their way to classes. The last bell rings at = 8:30=20 a.m., and all students are required to be in a classroom. When = does=20 instructional time begin?

The instructional time is counted from 8:30 a.m.

4. What constitutes a school day?

Any day in which pupil instruction occurs is considered one of = the 180=20 days. A school day that contains fewer instructional hours than a = full=20 schedule is considered a school day; however, only those hours in = which=20 instruction is provided may be counted toward meeting the required = hours=20 of instruction.

5. The last bell prior to the lunch period rings five minutes = prior to=20 the time the students are eating lunch. Because passing time = between=20 classes can count, can the five minutes prior to the beginning of = the=20 lunch period be counted as passing time?

Yes.

6. Can the lunch break be considered recess?

Time for lunch cannot be added into the total number of hours = of=20 instruction. Time scheduled in addition to lunch may count as = recess time=20 if all students participate in the activity. If the period of time = scheduled is only for the students to take a mid-day meal, it may = not be=20 added to the total. The maximum time counted as recess is 30 = minutes per=20 day.

7. Some schools have a staggered starting and ending schedule = for the=20 students. Is this permissible under the new law?

Yes, as long as each student's instructional schedule meets the = required time.

8. Some students are dismissed two periods prior to the end of = the=20 school day to participate in practice for sports or other = activities. Can=20 this time be included in their instructional schedule?

Because sports or other extracurricular activities are not = considered a=20 part of the instructional day, these students would not be = provided the=20 mandated time allocation. The rule states that the time is = computed from=20 the beginning to the end of each pupil's instructional day; = therefore,=20 these students would not meet the mandated time allocation.

9. Does teacher inservice count for one of the five = days?

No, only inclement weather (snow days) or parent-teacher = conferences=20 may be used to reduce the 180 days.

10. In some districts, students in lower grade levels may be = picked up=20 ten minutes earlier than the usual dismissal time so that they can = be=20 moved to another location for transportation purposes. Would these = ten=20 minutes count as instructional time in meeting the = standard?

No, this situation does not meet the requirements of the = standard.

Questions about this page should be = directed to Mary Parks=20 608/266-3706

Updated January 25, = 2001

Copyright:=20 State of Wisconsin Department of = Public=20 Instruction
Phone: 1-800-441-4563 (U.S. only) / = 608-266-3390=20 =