Instructional Time Policies: All data points for all states
April 2018
There are many exceptions to instructional time requirements across states and not all of them are indicated in this 50-State Comparison. Unless otherwise indicated, states that have hours per year and days per year require both. View the full instructional time database here. If you have questions or comments, please contact Sarah Pompelia at spompelia@ecs.org.
| Minimum number of days per school year | Minimum number of hours per school year | Minimum number of hours per school day | School start/finish | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 180 days Notes: District option to meet either minimum hours/year or minimum days/year. Citations: Ala.Code 1975 § 16-13-231 |
1,080 hours Citations: Ala.Code 1975 § 16-13-231 |
6 hours Notes: Excludes lunch and recess. Citations: Ala. Admin. Code r. 290-3-1-.02 |
District option |
| Alaska | 180 days Notes: District option to meet either minimum hours/year or minimum days/year. Citations: AS § 14.03.030 |
Grades K-3 ~ 740 hours Grades 4-12 ~ 900 hours Notes: For all grades, hours only apply if board submits an acceptable plan under which students will receive the educational equivalent of 180 days. Citations: AS § 14.03.030 |
Grades 1-3 ~ 4 hours Grades 4-12 ~ 5 hours Notes: Excludes intermissions. Citations: AS § 14.03.040 |
District option |
| Arizona | 180 days Citations: A.R.S. § 15-341.01 |
Half-day K ~ 356 hours Grades 1-3 ~ 712 hours Grades 4-6 ~ 890 hours Grades 7-8 ~ 1000 hours Grades 9-12 ~ 720 hours Notes: Excludes lunch and recess for grades K-8. Students in grades 9-12 must enroll in at least 4 subjects, in addition to the hour requirement. Citations: A.R.S. § 15-901 |
N/A | District option |
| Arkansas | 178 days Notes: Includes a minimum of 10 days (60 hours) professional development/in-service and a minimum of 2 days for parent/teacher conferences. Citations: 2009 Rules Governing Standards for Accreditation |
N/A | 6 hours/day 30 hours/week Citations: A.C.A. § 6-16-102 |
Start: On or after the Monday of the week in which 8/19 falls. No earlier than 8/14 and no later than 8/26. Citations: A.C.A. § 6-10-106 |
| California | 180 days Notes: Charter schools and select districts are required 175 days. More details may be found at: https://www.cde.ca.gov/fg/aa/pa/lcffitfaq.asp Citations: West's Ann.Cal.Educ.Code § 46200, 41420 |
Kindergarten ~ 600 hours Grades 1-3 ~ 840 hours Grades 4-8 ~ 900 hours Grades 9-12 ~ 1,080 hours Notes: State specifies instructional time in minutes. More details may be found at: https://www.cde.ca.gov/fg/aa/pa/lcffitfaq.asp Citations: West's Ann.Cal.Educ.Code § 46201, 46201.5, 46207 |
Kindergarten ~ 3 hours Grades 1-3 ~ 3.83 hours Grades 4-12 ~ 4 hours Notes: State specifies instructional time in minutes. Citations: West's Ann.Cal.Educ.Code § 46112, 46113, 46114, 46117, 46141 |
District option |
| Colorado | 160 days Citations: C.R.S.A. § 22-32-109 |
Half-day K ~ 435 hours Full-day K ~ 870 hours Grades 1-5 ~ 968 hours Grades 6-12 ~ 1,056 hours Notes: Excludes parent-teacher conferences and staff in-service programs. Citations: C.R.S.A. § 22-32-109 |
N/A | District option |
| Connecticut | 180 days Citations: C.G.S.A. § 10-16 |
Half-day K ~ 450 hours Full-day K-12 ~ 900 hours Citations: C.G.S.A. § 10-16 |
N/A Notes: Districts may count up to 7 hours/day toward the total required for the year. Citations: C.G.S.A. § 10-16 |
District option |
| Delaware | N/A | Grades K-11 ~ 1,060 hours Grade 12 ~ 1,032 hours Citations: 14 Del.C. § 1049 |
3.5 hours Notes: Excludes lunch. Citations: 14 Del.C. § 1049 |
District option |
| District of Columbia | 180 days Citations: D.C. Mun. Regs. Subt. 5-A, § A2100.3, Subt. 5-E 305 |
N/A | Grades 1-12 ~ 6 hours Notes: Includes lunch and recess. Citations: D.C. Mun. Regs. Subt. 5-A, § A2100.3 |
District option (single district) Citations: D.C. Mun. Regs. Subt. Subt. 5-E 305 |
| Florida | 180 days Notes: District option to meet either minimum hours/year or minimum days/year. Citations: West's F.S.A. § 1003.02, 1001.42 |
Grades K-3 ~ 720 hours Grades 4-12 ~ 900 hours Citations: West's F.S.A. § 1011.61 |
N/A | District option |
| Georgia | 180 days Notes: Or equivalent. Citations: Ga. Code Ann., § 20-2-168 |
N/A | Grades K-3 ~ 4.5 hours Grades 4-5 ~ 5 hours Grades 6-12 ~ 5.5 hours Citations: Ga Comp. R. & Regs. 160-5-1-.02 |
District option |
| Hawaii | 180 days Notes: Excludes professional development and other non-instructional days. Does not apply to charter and multi-track schools. Citations: HRS § 302A-251 |
1,080 hours Notes: Does not apply to charter and multi-track schools. Citations: HRS § 302A-251 |
N/A | District option (single district) |
| Idaho | District option Citations: I.C. § 33-512 |
Kindergarten ~ 450 hours Grades 1-3 ~ 810 hours Grades 4-8 ~ 900 hours Grades 9-12 ~ 990 hours Notes: Includes up to 22 hours for staff development. Excludes recess, lunch and passing periods. Citations: I.C. § 33-512 |
District option Citations: I.C. § 33-512 |
District option |
| Illinois | 180 days Notes: Includes up to 4 professional development days. Citations: 105 ILCS 5/10-19.1 |
N/A | Half-day K ~ 2 hours Full-day K-1 ~ 4 hours Grades 2-12 ~ 5 hours Citations: 105 ILCS 5/18-8.05(F) |
District option |
| Indiana | 180 days Notes: 0 Citations: IC 20-30-2-3 |
N/A | Grades 1-6 ~ 5 hours Grades 7-12 ~ 6 hours Citations: IC 20-30-2-2 |
District option |
| Iowa | 180 days Notes: District option to meet either minimum hours/year or minimum days/year. Citations: I.C.A. § 279.10 |
1,080 hours Citations: I.C.A. § 279.10 |
Grades 1-12 ~ 6 hours/day or 30 hours/week Notes: Excludes lunch. Includes parent-teacher conferences and passing periods. Citations: I.C.A. § 256.7 |
Start: No sooner than August 23 and no later than the first Monday in December. Citations: I.C.A. § 279.10 |
| Kansas | Grades K-11 ~ 186 days Grade 12 ~ 181 days Notes: District option to meet either minimum hours/year or minimum days/year. Citations: K.S.A. 72-3115 |
Kindergarten ~ 465 hours Grades 1-11 ~ 1116 hours Grade 12 ~ 1086 hours Citations: K.S.A. 72-3115 |
5 hours Citations: K.S.A. 72-3120 |
District option |
| Kentucky | 170 days Notes: 185-day calendar that includes 170 instructional days, plus 4 days for professional development. Citations: KRS § 158.070 |
1,062 hours Citations: KRS § 158.070 |
6 hours Citations: KRS § 158.060 |
District option Citations: 702 Ky. Admin. Regs. 7:140 |
| Louisiana | 177 days Notes: District option to meet either minimum hours/year or minimum days/year. Early dismissal of seniors allowed up to 10 instructional days. Citations: LSA-R.S. 17:154.1 |
1,062 hours Notes: State specifies instructional time in minutes. Citations: La. Admin Code. tit. 28, Pt CXV, § 333 |
Grades 1-12 ~ 6 hours Notes: Excludes lunch, recess, passing periods and parent-teacher conferences. State specifies instructional time in minutes. Citations: LSA-R.S. 17:154.1 La. Admin Code. tit. 28, Pt CXV, § 333 |
District option |
| Maine | 175 days Notes: Students in grade 12 may have their year reduced to 170 days. Citations: 20-A M.R.S.A. § 4801; 05-071 CMR Ch. 125, § 6.02 |
N/A | Kindergarten ~ 2.5 hours Grades 1-12 ~ 5 hours Notes: Minumum length of a day is 3 hours, but the average over a 2-week period must be at least 5 hours. Citations: 05-071 CMR Ch. 125, § 6.02 |
District option |
| Maryland | 180 days Notes: 0 Citations: MD Code, Education, § 7-103 |
1,080 hours 1,170 hours for public high schools Citations: MD Code, Education, § 7-103 COMAR 13A.03.02.12 |
N/A Notes: Schools must be open for pupil attendance for at least 3 hours. Citations: MD Code, Education, § 7-103 |
District option |
| Massachusetts | N/A Notes: Schools must operate at least 180 days/year. Instructional time measured in hours. Citations: M.G.L.A. 69 § 1G; 603 CMR 27.03 |
Kindergarten ~ 425 hours Grades 1-5 ~ 900 hours Grades 6-12 ~ 990 hours Notes: Excludes lunch, recess, passing periods, homeroom, non-directed study periods and time spent receiving school services or participating in optional school programs. Citations: 603 CMR 27.03 603 CMR 27.04 |
N/A | District option |
| Michigan | 180 days Notes: If a collective bargaining agreement that provides a complete school calendar was in effect, then this does not apply until after the expiration of that collective bargaining agreement. Citations: M.C.L.A. 388.1701 |
1,098 hours Citations: M.C.L.A. 388.1701 |
N/A | Start: No earlier than Labor Day. Citations: M.C.L.A. 380.1284b |
| Minnesota | Grades 1-11 ~ 165 days Citations: M.S.A. § 120A.41 |
Kindergarten ~ 425 hours Full-day K ~ 850 hours Grades 1-6 ~ 935 hours Grades 7-12 ~ 1,020 hours Citations: M.S.A. § 120A.41 |
N/A | Start: No earlier than Labor Day. Citations: M.S.A. § 120A.40 |
| Mississippi | 180 days Citations: Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-63 |
N/A | 5.5 hours/day Citations: Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-67 |
District option Citations: Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-61 |
| Missouri | 5-day week ~ 174 days 4-day week ~ 142 days Citations: V.A.M.S. 171.031 |
Kindergarten ~ 522 hours Grades 1-12 ~ 1,044 hours Citations: V.A.M.S. 171.031 V.A.M.S. 163.021 |
5-day week ~ 3 hours/day 4-day week ~ 4 hours/day Citations: V.A.M.S. 160.041 |
Start: No earlier than 10 days prior to first Monday in September. Citations: V.A.M.S. 171.031 |
| Montana | N/A | Half-day K ~ 360 hours Full-day K-3 ~ 720 hours Grades 4-12 ~ 1,080 hours Notes: Includes an additional 3 days for instructional and professional development. For graduating seniors, 1,050 hours. Citations: MCA 20-1-301 Mont.Admin.R. 10.65.101 |
N/A | District option |
| Nebraska | N/A | Kindergarten ~ 400 hours Grades 1-8 ~ 1,032 hours Grades 9-12 ~ 1,080 hours Citations: Neb. Rev.St. § 79-211, 212 |
N/A | District option |
| Nevada | 180 days Notes: May include up to 5 days for professional development with approval from superintendent of public instruction. Citations: N.R.S. 388.090; Nev. Admin. Code 387.120 |
N/A | Kindergarten ~ 2 hours Grades 1-2 ~ 4 hours Grades 3-6 ~ 5 hours Grades 7-12 ~ 5.5 hours Notes: Includes recess and time between lessons. Excludes lunch. Citations: Nev. Admin. Code 387.131 |
District option |
| New Hampshire | 180 days Notes: District option to meet either minimum hours/year or minimum days/year. High school seniors’ school year may be reduced by up to 5 days or 30 hours Citations: N.H. Rev. Stat. § 189:1, 24; N.H. Code Admin. R. 306.18 |
Kindergarten ~ 450 hours Elementary schools ~ 945 hours Middle and high schools ~ 990 hours Citations: N.H. Code Admin. R. 306.18 |
Elementary schools ~ 5.75 hours Middle and high schools ~ 6 hours Notes: May include up to 30 minutes of recess per day for elementary schools. Citations: N.H. Code Admin. R. 306.18 |
District option |
| New Jersey | 180 days Citations: N.J.S.A. 18A:7F-9 |
N/A | Full-day K ~ 2.5 hours Grades 1-12 ~ 4 hours Citations: N.J.A.C. 6A:32–8.3 |
District option |
| New Mexico | N/A | Half-day K ~ 450 hours Full-day K-6 ~ 990 hours Grades 7-12 ~ 1080 hours Notes: 33 hours of the full-day K program and 22 hours of grades 1-6 may be used for home visits by the teacher or for parent-teacher conferences. 12 hours of grades 7-12 may be used to consult with parents or for parent-teacher conferences. Citations: N. M. S. A. 1978, § 22-2-8.1 |
Half-day K ~ 2.5 hours Full-day K-6 ~ 5.5 hours Grades 7-12 ~ 6 hours Citations: N. M. S. A. 1978, § 22-2-8.1 |
District option |
| New York | 180 days Citations: McKinney's Education Law § 3604 |
N/A | Half-day K ~ 2.5 hours Full-day K-6 ~ 5 hours Grades 7-12 ~ 5.5 hours Citations: Rules of the Regents and Regulations of the Commissioner of Education 175.5 |
District option |
| North Carolina | 185 days Notes: District option to meet either minimum hours/year or minimum days/year. Citations: N.C.G.S.A. § 115C-84.2 |
1,025 hours Citations: N.C.G.S.A. § 115C-84.2 |
N/A | Start: No earlier than Monday closest to 8/19 with approval, otherwise Monday closest to 8/26. Finish: No later than Friday closest to June 11. Citations: N.C.G.S.A. § 115C-84.2 |
| North Dakota | 175 days Notes: In a 182-day calendar, 175 days are required for instruction, at least 2 days must be used for professional development and no more than 2 days may be used for parent-teacher conferences. Citations: NDCC § 15.1-06-04 |
N/A Notes: Any reconfigured school year must include at least: Grades K-8 ~ 951.5 hours Grades 9-12 ~ 1,038 hours Citations: NDCC § 15.1-06-05 |
Half-day K ~ 2.75 hours Full-day K ~ 5.5 hours Elementary ~ 5.5 hours High School ~ 6 hours Citations: NDCC § 15.1-22-02 NDCC § 15.1-06-04 |
District option |
| Ohio | District option Citations: R.C. § 3313.48 |
Half-day K ~ 455 hours Full-day K-6 ~ 910 hours Grades 7-12 ~ 1,001 hours Citations: R.C. § 3313.48 |
N/A Citations: R.C. § 3313.48 |
District option Citations: R.C. § 3313.48 |
| Oklahoma | 180 days Notes: District option to meet either minimum hours/year or minimum days/year. Citations: 70 Okl.St.Ann. § 1-109 |
1,080 hours Notes: Includes up to 30 hours used for professional meetings and 6 hours per semester for parent-teacher conferences. Citations: 70 Okl.St.Ann. § 1-109 |
6 hours Citations: 70 Okl.St.Ann. § 1-109 |
District option Citations: 70 Okl.St.Ann. § 1-111 |
| Oregon | N/A | Half-day K ~ 450 hours Full-day K-8 ~ 900 hours Grades 9-11 ~ 990 hours Grade 12 ~ 966 hours Notes: May include up to 30 hours of professional development and up to 30 hours of parent-teacher conferences. Includes recess for grades K-3. Citations: OAR 581-022-2320 |
N/A Notes: Oregon sets maximum, rather than minimum, hours/day: Grades K-8 ~ 8 hours, Grades 9-12 ~ 8.5 hours. Citations: OAR 581-022-2320 |
District option, but no fewer than 265 consecutive calendar days between first and last instructional day. Citations: OAR 581-022-2320 |
| Pennsylvania | 180 days Notes: District option to meet either minimum hours/year or minimum days/year. Citations: 22 Pa. Code § 11.1 |
Kindergarten ~ 450 hours Grades 1-8 ~ 900 hours Grades 9-12 ~ 990 hours Citations: 22 Pa. Code § 11.1 22 Pa. Code § 51.61 |
Kindergarten ~ 2.5 hours Grades 1-8 ~ 5 hours Grades 9-12 ~ 5.5 hours Citations: 22 Pa. Code § 11.3 22 Pa. Code § 51.61 |
District option |
| Rhode Island | 180 days Notes: District option to meet either minimum hours/year or minimum days/year. Citations: Gen.Laws 1956, § 16-2-2 |
1,080 hours Citations: Gen.Laws 1956, § 16-2-2 |
Kindergarten ~ 5.5 hours Grades 1-12 ~ 6 hours Citations: Gen.Laws 1956, § 16-99-3 Gen.Laws 1956, § 16-2-2 |
District option |
| South Carolina | 180 days Notes: 3 days must be used for professional development; no more than 2 days may be used for the preparation of opening schools; and 5 days must be used for teacher planning, academic plans and parent conferences to total 190 days. Citations: Code 1976 § 59-1-425 |
N/A | 6 hours Notes: Includes lunch for elementary schools. Excludes lunch for secondary schools. Citations: Code 1976 § 59-1-425 |
Start: No earlier than third Monday in August. Citations: Code 1976 § 59-1-425 |
| South Dakota | District option Citations: SDCL § 13-26-1 |
Kindergarten ~ 437.5 hours Grades 1-5 ~ 875 hours Grades 6-12 ~ 962.5 hours Notes: Includes intermissions for grades 1-5. Excludes intermissions for grades 6-12. School boards may release graduating seniors prior to the end of the school year. Citations: SDCL § 13-26-1 SDCL § 13-26-2 |
N/A Citations: SDCL § 13-26-1 |
District option |
| Tennessee | 180 days Notes: Plus 5 days for in-service and 1 day for parent-teacher conferences. Citations: T. C. A. § 49-6-3004 |
N/A | Kindergarten ~ 4 hours Grades 1-12 ~ 6.5 hours Citations: T. C. A. § 49-6-201 T. C. A. § 49-6-3004 |
Start: No earlier than August 1. Citations: T. C. A. § 49-6-3004 |
| Texas | N/A | 1,260 hours Notes: Includes intermissions and recesses. State specifies instructional time in minutes. Citations: V.T.C.A., Education Code § 25.081 |
7 hours Citations: V.T.C.A., Education Code § 29.0822 |
Start: No earlier than the fourth Monday in August. Citations: V.T.C.A., Education Code § 25.0811 |
| Utah | 180 days Notes: Includes parent-teacher conferences or college and career conferences for up to 16.5 hours or 3 full school days. Citations: U.A.C. R277-419 |
Kindergarten ~ 450 hours Grade 1 ~ 810 hours Grades 2-12 ~ 990 hours Citations: U.A.C. R277-419 |
Kindergarten ~ 2 hours Grades 1-12 ~ 4 hours Citations: U.A.C. R277-419 |
District option |
| Vermont | 175 days Notes: Plus at least 5 days of teacher in-service education days. Citations: 16 V.S.A. § 1071 |
N/A | Kindergarten ~ 2 hours/day or 10 hours/week Grades 1-2 ~ 4 hours/day or 20 hours/week Grades 3-8 ~ 5.5 hours/day or 27.5 hours/week Grades 9-12 ~ 5.5 hours/day or 27.5 hours/week Notes: Includes recess and excludes lunch for grades 1-8. Excludes recess and lunch for grades 9-12. Citations: Vermont State Board of Education Manual of Rules and Practices 2312 |
Determined regionally Citations: 16 V.S.A. § 1071 |
| Virginia | 180 days Notes: District option to meet either minimum hours/year or minimum days/year. Citations: VA Code Ann. § 22.1-98 |
Kindergarten ~ 540 hours Grades 1-12 ~ 990 hours Citations: VA Code Ann. § 22.1-79.1 |
Kindergarten ~ 3 hours Grades 1-12 ~ 5.5 hours Notes: Excludes recess and lunch. Citations: 8 VAC 20-131-150 |
Start: After Labor Day. Citations: VA Code Ann. § 22.1-79.1 |
| Washington | 180 days Citations: West's RCWA 28A.150.220 |
Grades K-8 ~ 1,000 hours Grades 9-12 ~ 1,080 hours Citations: West's RCWA 28A.150.220 |
N/A | District option |
| West Virginia | 180 days Citations: W. Va. Code, § 18-5-45 |
N/A | Grades K-5 ~ 5.25 hours Grades 6-8 ~ 5.5 hours Grades 9-12 ~ 5.75 hours Citations: W. Va. Code, § 18-5-45 |
District option |
| Wisconsin | N/A | Kindergarten ~ 437 hours Grades 1-6 ~ 1,050 hours Grades 7-12 ~ 1,137 hours Citations: W.S.A. 121.02 |
N/A | Start: No earlier than 9/1. Citations: W.S.A. 118.045 |
| Wyoming | 175 days Citations: W.S.1977 § 21-4-301 |
Kindergarten ~ 450 hours Elementary ~ 900 hours Middle/Jr. High ~ 1,050 hours Secondary ~ 1,100 hours Citations: WY Rules and Regulations EDU GEN Ch. 22 s 5 |
N/A | District option |
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