Days and Hours of Instruction - Overview

Standard (f) (121.02) requires school districts to schedule classes on at least 180 days annually and indicates the number of hours of direct instruction a school district must provide during the school year. The standard also specifies exceptions to the statutory instruction requirements.

All students should have equal opportunity to a comprehensive education. By requiring a minimum number of instructional days with a minimum number of hours of direct pupil instruction, students have increased access to learning. The number of hours selected for the minimum represents the statewide average of hours of instruction determined from past surveys of school districts.

115.01 (10) SCHOOL DAY.

(a) School days are days on which school is actually taught and the following days on which school is not taught:

1. Days on which school is closed by order of the school district administrator because of inclement weather and days on which parent-teacher conferences are held, not to exceed 5 days during the school term.

If parent-teacher conferences are held in the evening of a day on which students attend for all or part of the day, the day may be counted as only one day toward the 180 day requirement.

2. Days on which school is closed by order of a local health officer, as defined in s. 250.01(5), Wis. Stats. or the department of health services (New for 2009-10).

3. Days on which school is closed by order of the school district administrator because of a threat to the health or safety of pupils or school personnel, but not including inclement weather, unless the school board determines that the days will not count as school days (New for 2009-10).

(b) Not to exceed 5 Saturdays may be counted as school days in any school year when school is taught thereon with the consent of the school board.

118.38 (2)(bm) The department shall promulgate rules establishing criteria for waiving the requirement to schedule at least the number of hours of direct pupil instruction specified under s. 121.02(1)(f)2. if school is closed for a reason specified in s. 115.01(10)(a) 2. or 3. (New for 2009-10).

121.02(1)(f) Each school board shall: 1. Schedule at least 180 school days annually, less any days during which the state superintendent determines that school is not held or educational standards are not maintained as the result of a strike by school district employees.

121.02(1)(f) Each school board shall: 2. Annually, schedule at least 437 hours of direct pupil instruction in kindergarten, at least 1,050 hours of direct pupil instruction in grades 1 to 6 and at least 1,137 hours of direct pupil instruction in grades 7 to 12. Scheduled hours under this subdivision include recess (up to 30 per day PI 8.01(2)(f)2) and time for pupils to transfer between classes but do not include the lunch period. A school board operating a 4-year-old kindergarten program may use up to 87.5 of the scheduled hours for outreach activities.

For questions about this information, contact Beverly J. Kniess (608) 266-3706

Last updated on 2/2/2010 10:28:21 AM