Board Approved Calendar

Purpose

To provide clarifying information about school calendars, ensuring compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements.

Statutory and Regulatory Requirements:

-Compliance with state statutes and regulations is mandatory.

- All districts must adhere to:

• S.C. Code Ann. § 59-1-425 (Beginning and length of school term; make-up days; waiver; instructional days.)

• SBE Reg. 43-231 Defined Program K-5

• SBE Reg. 43-232 Defined Program 6-8

• SBE Reg. 43-234 Defined Program, Grades 9-12 and Graduation Requirements

- School calendars must include 190 days: 180 days of instruction over nine months, three make-up days, and 10 teacher workdays to include three professional development days.

- eLearning days are reserved for short-term disruptions and cannot be pre-scheduled for professional development or anticipated COVID-19 disruptions.

School Calendar Checklist:

The "School Calendar Checklist" from the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) outlines essential considerations for developing school calendars, which local school boards are responsible for approving. The SCDE monitors these calendars for compliance with state statutes and regulations. Key points include:

• Annual Days Requirement: Schools must operate for 190 days annually. (180 instructional days and 10 teacher workdays)

• Instruction Days: A minimum of 180 instructional days spread over at least nine months, all of which must be in-person.

• eLearning Days: These should only be used for emergency situations like inclement weather and are not to be scheduled in advance or included in the published calendar.

• Make-Up Days: At least three days must be designated for make-up days.

• Professional Development: Three days should be scheduled for collegial professional development.

• School Start Date: The school year should not start before the third Monday in August unless on a year-round modified calendar.

• Election Day: Schools must be closed on general election day in November of even-numbered years, with no virtual/eLearning allowed.

CIE PowerSchool Assignment:

Using the Checklist/SCDE Guidelines listed above, schools will be required to submit a board-approved calendar by the date listed in the Let's Work Smart (LWS) Portal.

- Calendars are submitted via the LWS and then shared with the SCDE and used for accreditation, funding, and reporting.

Example Calendar:

Half Days Requirements:

- Up to three partial days per year allowed for staff development or exams, reducing instructional minutes below the required weekly equivalent.

- Instruction shall be scheduled for each student for a minimum of 1800 minutes or 30 hours per week including lunch, or the equivalent time on a yearly basis.

-Minimum of six hours of instruction per day for secondary students (excluding lunch) and elementary students (including lunch).

Year-Round Modified Calendars:

- Schools may not start before the third Monday in August unless on a year-round modified calendar.

- No explicit SCDE authority over defining or approving year-round calendars.

- Funded only for 180 days of instruction

-All assessments must align with the SCDE schedule.

Community Engagement:

- District leadership should engage a broad and diverse group of community stakeholders when considering year-round modified school calendars.

eLearning Days:

- Only for approved eLearning districts facing short-term disruptions (e.g., power outages).

- Cannot be scheduled in advance for non-emergency purposes.

- Schools must plan for 180 days of in-person instruction.

Important Notes on eLearning:

- eLearning days do not appear on planning calendars but can be used for emergency make-up days.

- Schools should clarify the use of eLearning days on their calendars.

- eLearning days should only be used for emergency situations, not for professional development or COVID-19 disruptions.