321

SCHOOL DAY
(MINUTES OF INSTRUCTION)

Elementary Minutes of Instruction

Four-year-old kindergarten students will receive a minimum of 26,220 minutes of instruction with a minimum of 2.5 consecutive hours per session. Five-year-old kindergarten students in a half-day program will receive a minimum of 26,220 minutes of instruction per year. Students in full-day five-year-old kindergarten through Grade 5 will receive a minimum of 63,000 minutes of instruction per school year. These minutes will be updated as needed to comply with changes to state law.  

Middle School Minutes  of Instruction

Middle school students in grades 6-8 will receive a minimum of 68,220 minutes of instruction per school year. These minutes will be updated as needed to comply with changes to state law. 

High School  Minutes of Instruction

High school students in grades 9-11 will receive a minimum of 68,220 minutes of instruction, or other Board-approved activity per school year. High school students in grade 12 will receive not less than the state minimum minutes of instruction, or other Board-approved activity. These minutes will be updated as needed to comply with changes to state law. 

 

Cross Reference:
Start College Now Technical College Program, 343.45
Early College Credit, 343.46

Legal References:
Wisconsin State Statutes 115.01(10), 118.01 (2) (c) 8, 118.33(1m)(a)), 120.12(15), 120.44  and 121.02(1)(f)
Wisconsin Administrative Code PI 8.01(2)(t)

---

Adoption Date: January 13, 2003

Amended Date: June 10, 2013, April 22, 2019, and June 8, 2026

 

 

321-Rule

SCHOOL DAY

Procedures

 

Elementary Instruction

In the elementary grades, regular instruction shall be provided in reading, English language arts, social studies, mathematics, science, health, physical education, art, STEM, and music. In this subdivision, “regular instruction” means instruction each week for the entire school term in sufficient frequency and length to achieve the objectives and allocation of instructional time identified in the curriculum plans developed and adopted. Career exploration and planning shall be integrated into all courses.  

Middle School Instruction

In the middle school grades, regular instruction shall be provided in reading, English language arts, social studies, mathematics, science, health, physical education, art, and music. The school board shall also provide pupils with ongoing career exploration and planning in all courses. In this subdivision, “regular instruction” means instruction each week for the entire school term in sufficient frequency and length to achieve the objectives and allocation of instructional time identified in the curriculum plans developed and adopted. Middle-level formats that offer or require a variety of experiences for pupils, such as world language, business education, technology education, STEM,  family consumer education, and marketing education, may be provided in sufficient frequency and length to achieve the objectives and allocation of instructional time identified in the curriculum plans developed and adopted.

In grades 6, 7, and 8, instruction shall be offered in world language. In this subdivision, “regular instruction in world language” means access to instruction in sufficient frequency and length to achieve the objectives and time allocations of a written, sequential curriculum plan in world language.

High School Instruction

In grades 9 to 12, regular instruction shall be provided that allows access to an educational program that enables pupils each year to study English, social studies, mathematics, science, career and technical education, world language, physical education, art, and music. In this subdivision, “access” means an opportunity to study through school district course offerings, independent study, cooperative educational service agencies, or cooperative arrangements between school boards and post-secondary institutions such as Start College Now or Early College Credit.  Career exploration and planning shall be integrated into all courses.  

Social Studies Instruction

The District shall develop and maintain a curriculum designed to support student civic development and understanding of human relations.  At a minimum, District social studies instruction shall meet the following expectations:

• In grades kindergarten through grade 8, include instruction in the social studies curriculum in the history, culture, and tribal sovereignty of the federally recognized American Indian tribes and bands located in this state, at least two grade levels, and at least one grade level in grades 9 through 12.
• Provide instruction at least once in grades 5-8 and at least once in grades  9-12 on the Holocaust and other genocides.  
• At elementary, middle, and high school, the social studies curriculum will support students in understanding human relations, particularly with regard to American Indians, Black Americans, Hispanics, Hmong Americans, and Asian Americans.  
• At elementary, middle, and high school, sufficient time and emphasis will be provided in social studies to empower students to pass the required state civics examination.