Reducing Instructional Time

Reducing Instructional Time in 2009–10 through 2014–15

Applicable Law

Education Code Section 46201.2

Education Code Section 46207

Education Code Section 46208

School Districts and County Offices of Education (LEA)

Calculating the New Minimum Number of Days

Reduce the number of days the local educational agency (LEA) was required to offer prior to fiscal year 2009–10 by five days.

If the LEA was required to offer 180 days, the new requirement is 175 days (applies to almost all LEAs).

If the LEA was required to offer 175 days (applies to 18 LEAs) the new requirement is 170 days until the LEA meets the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) funding targets. Once the LEA meets its LCFF funding targets it is required to offer 180 days which can be reduced to 175 days.

If the LEA operated a multi-track, year round school, then the new requirement dropped from 163 days to 158 days.

Calculating the New Minimum Number of Minutes

If the LEA participated in the Longer Year Incentive Program (required to offer 180 days prior to 2009–10), the new required grade level minimum number of minutes are as follows:

If the LEA did not participate in the Longer Year Incentive Program (required to offer 175 days prior to 2009–10), the new required grade level minimum number of minutes is determined by multiplying the previously required minimum number of minutes by 170/175.

Charter Schools

Calculating the New Minimum Number of Days

Charter schools can reduce the number of days offered to 170. Prior to fiscal year 2009–10, charter schools received a reduction in apportionment if school was taught on fewer than 175 days (California Code of Regulations, Title 5, Section 11960). For fiscal years 2009–10 through 2014–15, charter schools will receive the same proportionate reduction if school is taught on fewer than 170 days.

Calculating the New Minimum Number of Minutes

For charter schools, the new required grade level minimum number of minutes are as follows:

For the 2011–12 year only

Applicable Law

Education Code Section 46201.3

(a) In addition to the reduction in instructional days and minutes permitted pursuant to Section 46201.2, for the 2011–12 school year only, a school district, county office of education, or charter school may reduce the number of instructional days and minutes offered by the equivalent of an additional seven days without incurring the penalties set forth in sections 41420, 46200, 46200.5, 46201, 46201.5, 46202, and 47612.5.

(b) Implementation of a reduction in instructional days and minutes pursuant to this Section is subject to collective bargaining and must be achieved through the collective bargaining process. A collective bargaining agreement implementing this Section must be completed and reductions implemented by June 30, 2012.

School Districts and County Offices of Education (LEA)

Calculating the New Minimum Number of Days

Reduce the number of days the LEA is required to offer for 2011–12 by an additional seven days.

If the LEA was required to offer 175 days, the new requirement is 168 days (applies to most LEAs).

If the LEA was required to offer 170 days, the new requirement is 163 days (applies to 18 LEAs).

If the LEA operated a multi-track, year round school, then the new requirement dropped from 158 days to 151 days.

Calculating the New Minimum Number of Minutes

If the LEA participated in the Longer Year Incentive Program (required to offer 180 days prior to 2009–10), the required grade level minimum number of minutes for 2011–12 is determined by multiplying the previously required minimum number of minutes by 168/180. 

If the LEA did not participate in the Longer Year Incentive Program (required to offer 175 days prior to 2009–10), the required grade level minimum number of minutes for 2011–12 is determined by multiplying the previously required minimum number of minutes by 163/175. 

Charter Schools

For 2011–12 charter schools can reduce the number of days offered to 163. Prior to fiscal year 2009–10, charter schools received a reduction in apportionment if school was taught on fewer than 175 days (California Code of Regulations, Title 5, Section 11960). For fiscal year 2011–12, charter schools will receive the same proportionate reduction if school is taught on fewer than 163 days.

For charter schools for 2011–12, the required grade level instructional minutes are as follows: