Snow Days vs. FID Days vs. Remote Learning Days in an Hour-Based School Calendar (School Law Change, Summer 2024)
With the transition to an hour-based school calendar, districts now have the flexibility to meet state requirements for instructional hours instead of a fixed number of 180 school days. This system provides more adaptability, particularly for weather-related closures. To maintain compliance, schools can use a combination of school closure days, Flexible Instructional Days (FID), and remote learning days as part of their contingency plans. Below is an explanation of how each type of day functions and interacts in this system.
1. School Closure Days:
Definition: School closure days are traditional weather-related closures where school is canceled due to inclement weather, such as snow, ice, or severe storms.
Impact on Hour-Based System: Under an hour-based system, school closure days are still recognized and can be used if necessary. However, schools are no longer required to make up these days through extending the school year as long as they have enough scheduled instructional hours to meet state requirements.
Use of Hours: If school closure days occur but the district has already scheduled enough instructional hours for the year (elem 900, sec 990), the district can absorb the loss of time without needing to add additional school days.
Flexibility: Schools are not necessarily required to replace school closure days with make-up days as long as the total hours for the year meet the required threshold. If the snow days cause a significant shortfall in hours, other options such as FID or remote learning days can be used.
2. Flexible Instructional Days (FID):
Definition: FID days is a program available to public school entities to be used as an alternative approach to delivering instruction if a circumstance arises that prevents instruction in the customary manner.
Purpose: FID days are meant to ensure that students continue their education during weather-related closures or other disruptions (such as emergencies) while also helping districts meet the required instructional hours.
Use in Hour-Based Calendar: If a snow day or other school closure causes a significant loss of instructional time, the district can implement FID days to make up the missed hours.
FID days must be pre-approved by the state and generally need to follow specific guidelines, such as maintaining a certain level of student engagement and providing structured learning experiences.
Implementation: On FID days, students engage in learning through online platforms, assignments, virtual sessions with teachers, or other approved formats. These days are counted toward the total required instructional hours, so they help schools remain compliant without extending the school year.
3. Remote Learning Days:
Definition: Remote learning days refer to days when students engage in learning outside of school but with the expectation of attending virtual classes or completing assignments remotely during the school day.
Difference from FID Days: While FID days and remote learning days are similar in that both involve students learning outside of the physical classroom, FID days must be approved by PDE and are included in Section 1506 of Public School Code.
FID days refer to pre-approved days when school is closed but instructional time is provided in a flexible format (such as asynchronous or synchronous learning). FID days are a part of a district’s official plan for handling closures.
Remote learning days, on the other hand, may be used when the district needs to close one or more of the district buildings. The need for remote learning arises for other reasons such as widespread illness, ongoing disruptions, electrical issues, etc. In some cases, remote learning can also refer to days where instruction is expected to occur under a regular, virtual format instead of being tied to a weather-related closure.
Use in Hour-Based Calendar: Remote learning days are counted toward the required instructional hours just like FID days, as long as the district’s plan complies with state regulations for remote learning. Remote learning can also be implemented in place of traditional snow days when weather closures occur.
How Snow Days, FID Days, and Remote Learning Days Work Together:
Scheduled Hours and Flexibility: Since the district operates on an hour-based calendar, the total instructional hours for the school year must meet the state’s required threshold of 900 elementary hours and 990 secondary hours. If school closure days occur and result in the loss of instructional hours, the district can either:
Absorb the loss if enough hours are already built into the schedule.
Use FID days or remote learning days to make up for the lost hours.
Advantages of Using Hours with Snow Days, FID Days, and Remote Learning Days:
Flexibility: The ability to use snow days, FID days, and remote learning days gives districts more flexibility in managing weather disruptions and unforeseen events while maintaining instructional continuity.
Avoiding Extended School Year: Schools no longer need to extend the school year into the summer to make up missed days, as long as they meet the required instructional hours through other means.
Maintaining Educational Equity: With proper planning, schools can continue providing instruction even during extended closures, reducing learning disruptions for students.
In districts operating on an hour-based school calendar, school closure days may still occur, but they no longer require makeup days if enough instructional hours are scheduled to meet the state’s requirement. If additional instructional time is needed due to closures, districts can use FID days or remote learning days as alternatives to ensure that students complete the required number of hours. Both FID and remote learning days count toward the total instructional hours, helping districts stay compliant without extending the school year. Proper planning and access to technology are essential for ensuring these days are effective and equitable for all students.