(a) The school year must begin not later than the second week in August and end not later than the last Friday in May and must be divided into two semesters, semester one which ends not later than December 23rd and semester two, which ends not later than the last Friday in May.
(b) The Department of Education shall set the school calendar.
(c) The school calendar must include no less than a minimum of 180 days of student instruction.
(d) In the event of the declaration of a state of emergency, the Department or Education may reasonably adjust the number of hours of pupil instruction mandated by subsection (c) of this section.
(e) Each student shall receive the following minimum amount of instructional hours per school year:(1) Kindergarten through 3rd Grade - 810 instructional hours;(2) 4th Grade through 6th Grade - 900 instructional hours; and(3) 7th Grade through 12th Grade - 990 instructional hours.
(1) Kindergarten through 3rd Grade - 810 instructional hours;
(2) 4th Grade through 6th Grade - 900 instructional hours; and
(3) 7th Grade through 12th Grade - 990 instructional hours.
(f) Each student shall receive the following minimum amount of instructional hours per school day:(1) Kindergarten through 3rd Grade - 4.5 instructional hours;(2) 4th Grade through 6th Grade - 5.0 instructional hours; and(3) 7th Grade through 12th Grade - 5.5 instructional hours.
(1) Kindergarten through 3rd Grade - 4.5 instructional hours;
(2) 4th Grade through 6th Grade - 5.0 instructional hours; and
(3) 7th Grade through 12th Grade - 5.5 instructional hours.
(g) A total of 1080 instructional hours must be used each school year. The difference between the 1080 instructional hours and the minimum instructional hours must be utilized for staff development as follows:(1) a minimum of three days for staff development;(2) a minimum of three days for classroom preparation; and(3) a minimum of two days for parent conferences and open houses.
(1) a minimum of three days for staff development;
(2) a minimum of three days for classroom preparation; and
(3) a minimum of two days for parent conferences and open houses.
(h) For purposes of this section, a day consists of six instructional hours.