NDCC 15.1-06-04 requires a minimum of 962.5 hours of instruction time at the elementary school level (K-6) and 1,050 hours of instruction time at the middle and high school levels (7-12) each school year. In addition to classroom time, please see the information below regarding what qualifies as “instructional time”.
Components of Instructional Time*
Does Passing Time Between Classes Count as Instructional Time?
Yes, passing time between classes counts as part of the school day in the yearly calculation of 962.5 hours (elementary) and 1,050 hours (middle and high school).
Reasoning: Students that enter a school building are in direct charge of North Dakota educators. In addition, passing time is an opportunity for students to develop social and emotional skills. Passing time is also an opportunity to build friendships and communication skills.
Does Zero Period, Eighth Period and/or Home Room Count as Instructional Time?
Yes, zero period, eighth period, and/or home room counts as part of the school day in the yearly calculation of 962.5 hours (elementary) and 1,050 hours (middle and high school).
Reasoning: School is technically in session during this time and students are being served. Students who struggle and need one-on-one help from a teacher find this time invaluable. These time periods may be the only opportunity students have to get additional support and guidance in their education. In addition, this is a local decision. There are checks and balances in school systems to appropriately measure the value of this time.
Does Recess Count as Instructional Time?
Yes, recess time counts as part of the school day in the yearly calculation of 962.5 hours (elementary) and 1,050 hours (middle and high school).
Reasoning: There is a myriad of learning and experiences during this time. Recess is a valuable time for students to grow socially and emotionally. It assists them in developing skills in conflict resolution, team building, communication, and problem solving. In addition, it is expected that teachers and administrators are monitoring and teaching during recess.
Does the Lunch Period Count as Instructional Time?
No, the lunch period does not count as part of the school day in the yearly calculation.
Reasoning: Per Attorney General Opinion dated July 2, 1997, “Lunch breaks are not included in the minimum five and one-half or six hours of instruction time under Senate Bill 2173. The minimum number of hours of instruction time are to be provided to every student.”
*as determined by a 2019 working group that consisted of representation from NDDPI, NDCEL, NDSBA, ND United, and North Dakota school administrators.
Four-Day School Week
North Dakota Century Code 15.1-06-04 states: “If a school district intends to operate under a school calendar that consists of four days of instruction per week, the school district shall apply and be approved for a waiver by the superintendent of public instruction.”
The North Dakota Department of Public Instruction’s definition of a four-day school week is as follows: "A four-day school week includes a calendar that consistently has four student contact days a week over an interval of several months. This can be traditional four-day weeks in which the entire yearly calendar is comprised of four student contact days per week, or a hybrid four-day school week which consists of four student contact days per week at certain times during the school year. In addition, a district that implements a four-day school week will most likely have more hours of student contact time during the day within the four-day school week. Districts that implement a four-day school week must also create a contingency plan to provide services for students and families that are burdened by the four-day school week, such as providing breakfast and lunch, providing activities on Fridays, etc”.
Contingency Planning. Parents are accustomed to, and plan for, their children to be cared for five days per week during the school year. Schools must create a plan for students in the event necessary services cannot be provided by parents. For example, schools may conduct STEM days, physical education days, or provide breakfast and lunch to students. This contingency plan must be created and implemented at the local level.
Any planned activity hours (academic or non-academic) on the fifth day of a four-day school week may not be counted in yearly calendar hour totals.
Schools using a four-day school week must adhere to the minimum hourly requirement of 962.5 hours of instruction per year at the elementary school level, and 1,050 hours of instruction per year at the middle and high school level.
High School Unit Time
NDCC 15.1-21-03 states that each course unit must consist of at least one hundred twenty hours of student engagement, with the exception of CTE and science which must consist of at least one hundred fifty hours of student engagement per course unit.
“Student engagement” occurs when a student is actively involved in learning essential material, driven by state content standards, and this learning is overseen or facilitated by a licensed teacher, either on or off school site.
- Up to 15 of the 150 hours of instruction per calendar year in all CTE and science courses can be spent by the student completing assignments outside of the classroom including an internship or at a work site*
- Homework does not equal student engagement and must not be included in this definition.*
For questions regarding this guidance, contact the Office of School Approval & Opportunity at (701) 328-2244.
*as determined by a 2019 working group that consisted of representation from NDDPI, NDCEL, NDSBA, ND United, and North Dakota school administrators.