EBA – Term of Instruction: School Year

Revised September 2023

Length of school year—

The schools of the District shall provide educational services over a minimum of 180 school days during each school year, except as follows: The Board may reallocate up to 32 instructional hours or 4 school days for teacher preparation time or professional development by a two-thirds majority vote of the Board in a properly noticed and held public meeting. If a reallocation is made, parents and guardians shall be notified of the school calendar at least 90 days before the beginning of the school year. Unless the day is (1) one which has been reallocated in this way, (2) a day on which educational services are being provided to the school’s students through distance learning, or (3) a day when there is an emergency closure for weather or other emergency, a school that participates in the National School Lunch Program must provide school meals on each day that is scheduled toward the 180 school day requirement.

Utah Admin. Rules R277-419-4(1) (May 22, 2023)

Utah Code § 53F-2-102(4)(d) (2022)

The required days of instruction may be provided at any time during the school year as determined by the Board. The Board will approve school calendars providing for instructional time and days in an open meeting.

Utah Admin. Rules R277-419-4(2), (6)(g) (May 22, 2023)

If a school is using a modified 45-day/15-day year-round schedule initiated prior to July 1, 1995, it is in compliance with State Board of Education regulations if the school’s schedule includes a minimum of 990 hours of time the school will provide educational services over a minimum of 172 days.

Utah Admin. Rules R277-419-11(2) (May 22, 2023)

Semester basis—

The District shall operate on a quarter or semester basis and shall adhere to the requirements of the appropriate curriculum prepared by the State Board of Education.

Beginning date—

Student attendance for the first semester of the regular school term shall be established by the Board pursuant to a calendar adopted annually.

Emergency/Activity days—

The annual school calendar adopted by the Board shall include exigency time for closures for emergencies, activities, or extreme weather conditions. If school is closed for these or any other reason, the instructional time missed shall be made up under the exigency time so that the minimum school program instructional requirements are met. However, the Board may request a waiver from the State Superintendent from the instructional day requirement as provided for in Utah Administrative Rules R277-121-5.

Utah Admin. Rules R277-121-5 (October 10, 2022)

Utah Admin. Rules R277-419-4(3) (May 22, 2023)

Parent-teacher and Student plan conferences—

With Board approval, schools may conduct parent-teacher and student Plan for College and Career Readiness conferences during the day and the time for those conferences may be counted as instructional time up to the equivalent of three full school days during a school year.

Utah Admin. Rules R277-419-4(6)(b) (May 22, 2023)

Kindergarten assessment—

The Board may designate up to 12 educational service days at either or both the beginning or end of the school year for assessment of students entering or completing kindergarten. Assessments shall be conducted by qualified school employees. The assessment time per student must be adequate to justify the amount of instructional time used for assessment. Such action must be taken in a properly noticed public meeting and the parents or guardians of these students shall be given notice and an explanation of the assessment well in advance of the assessment period.

Utah Admin. Rules R277-419-4(6)(d), (e) (May 22, 2023)