The State Department of Education allows four different options for schools to consider regarding upcoming school calendars.  We would like to get feedback from families and staff. Please think through the four options allowed.  We are currently on an Alternate Calendar.  The options are below:

Option 1 - Traditional Calendar - A traditional school calendar consists of 178 days of student-teacher interaction with“school day” defined as a day in which classes are in session and students receive at least six (6) hours of instructional time per day (or an average of 30 hours per week). Districts that implement a traditional school calendar must schedule at least 5 make-up days in case of school closure for exceptional or emergency circumstances (Ark. Code Ann. § 6-10-106(f)).  
     
Option 2 - Alternate Calendar - Legislation passed during the 2021 session (Act 688) allows for districts to implement an alternate school calendar that is based on instructional hours instead of instructional days. Under an alternate school calendar, a school year shall consist of at least one thousand sixty-eight (1,068) hours of instructional time; plus at least thirty (30) make-up hours.      

Option 3 - 4-Day Week Calendar - Districts also have the option to adopt a 4 day week school calendar pursuant to Ark.Code Ann. § 6-10-117. Under this option, a district must average thirty (30) hours per week. This can be met with four (4) 7 1⁄2 hour instructional days.
                                                                                                                                                                                                    Option 4 - Quarter Calendar -A district may also choose a  "Quarter" (12 month/year round) school calendar option as described in Ark. Code Ann. § 6-10-108. This option, which is a “twelve-month year-round educational program,” means an educational program in which all students attend school no less than the number of days required by the Standards for Accreditation of Arkansas Public Schools and School Districts (178 days; 6 hours of instruction daily or average 30 hours per week) between July 1 and June 30, with two weeks off after each quarter and seven weeks for summer break.