School Calendar Update
Effective through the End of the 2017-18 School Year

In April 2017, the State Aid Office provided further clarification on the allowable use of half-days that may and may not count toward the statutory 180-day requirement.  While the information provided concrete examples of what the State Aid Office has considered allowable and nonallowable uses of half days, many districts have expressed concern that the clarification caused some confusion.

Recognizing the time frame in which that clarification was posted, the State Education Department is announcing the following:

    1. For the 2016-17 and 2017-18 school years, school districts should comply with Education Law §3604, 8 NYCRR 175.5, and existing guidance and report their session days as planned.
    2. This coming Fall, the State Education Department will convene an Advisory committee, comprised of representatives from both the Department and the field to review all existing laws, regulations, and guidance concerning the 180-day requirement, including superintendent conference days, staff training days, parent-teacher conference days, assessment and examination scheduling, and other related topics.  The Advisory Committee will then provide a series of recommendations to the Commissioner to modernize the regulations and guidance related to session/day requirements and school calendars.
    3. Based on input from the Advisory Committee, the Department will propose regulations to the Board of Regents for their approval as needed and will revise the guidance on this topic, in time for districts to adopt their 2018-19 school year calendars.
Last Updated: February 12, 2019