Days and Hours Requirements
Minimum Required Days
180 days
Minimum Required Hours
Grades 1-12: 1098 hours
Note: Kindergarten is not required to meet a minimum number of days and may schedule less than 1098 hours, but FTE must be pro-rated for any pupils attending a part-time kindergarten program.
See instructions on Day and Hours of instruction form for example to calculate pro-rated FTE.
Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE): 144 Days, 360 Hours
Waivers
An alternative education program may request from Michigan Department of Education, Office of State Aid and School Finance, a waiver of the minimum required days and hours of instruction. See Resources tab for a link to State Aid and School Finance forms on MDE web site.
Labor Day Rule
Classes may not begin until after Labor Day. The only exceptions are international baccalaureate programs which schedule at least 1,160 annual instructional hours and schools that apply to MDE to become a bona fide year-round school (also known as balanced calendar). Part of the balanced calendar application process is requesting a waiver to start school before Labor Day.
Forgiven Days and Hours
Six (6) days of instruction canceled due to situations beyond the control of school authorities may be forgiven. Valid reasons include snow days, power outages and widespread illness (i.e. many students out due to flu or other illness). This applies to ALL grades, K-12 and Early Childhood Special Education.
For more details, see Section 101 of State School Aid Act (MCL 388.1701).
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