Instructional Days/Hours During the 2022-23 School Year

This page was updated on May 23, 2022.

Implications Related to COVID-19

As we approach the end of the 2021-22 school year, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) recognizes that that there may still be a need for remote instruction in certain circumstances. This page clarifies how remote learning time can continue to satisfy the 180-day and 900/990 hour statutory requirements next school year. See 24 P.S. §§ 13-1327, 15-1501; see also, 22 Pa. Code § 11.3. 

To provide predictability for planning purposes, flexibility for schools mitigating the spread of COVID-19, and for families that request periods of remote instruction for their children as a result of the pandemic, PDE will follow the same practice that was implemented during the 2020-21 and 2021-22 school year, which is to consider the COVID-19 global pandemic an emergency as contemplated by Section 520.1 of the School Code (see below). The template has been updated and is available on this page. PDE will begin accepting those templates on July 1, 2022.

It is important to note that PDE-approval of a school entity's plan as set forth in the template will be for the 2022-23 school year only as approvals of this nature are made on a year-to-year basis. The decision to enact temporary provisions under Section 520.1 of the School Code remains a local one. When making decisions related to the provision of instructional time, all school entities must be cognizant of issues such as: the provision of planned instruction needed to attain the relevant academic standards set forth in Chapter 4; implementing systems of tracking attendance and instructional time, especially related to students engaging in remote instruction; the provision of FAPE; and equity in access to instruction for all students.

Section 520.1 of the Pennsylvania Public School Code (School Code) provides the following:

(a) Whenever an emergency shall arise which the board of school directors of any school district in the performance of its duties could not during the prescribed length of school days, number of days per week, anticipate or foresee, and which emergency shall result in any such school district being unable to provide for the attendance of all pupils or usual hours of classes, it shall be found as a fact by the school directors of any school district and so recorded on the minutes of a regular or special meeting of such board and certified to the Superintendent of Public Instruction¹, and such board of school directors, subject to the approval of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, shall have power to put into operation in such school district any one or more of the temporary provisions hereinafter provided for, but in no event shall such temporary provisions remain in effect for a period of more than four years after they are first put into effect.

(b) Subject to the foregoing provisions, any board of school directors may:

(1) Keep the schools of the district in session such days and number of days per week as they shall deem necessary or desirable, but the provisions of this act requiring a minimum of one hundred eighty (180) session days as a school year shall not be affected thereby.

(2) Reduce the length of time of daily instruction for various courses and classes.

(c) Any school district, by invoking the powers herein granted, shall not thereby forfeit its right to reimbursement by the Commonwealth or other State-aid as otherwise provided for by this act.

24 P.S. § 5-520.1

Section 520.1 of the School Code provides flexibility in the event of an emergency that prevents a school entity from being able to provide for the attendance of all pupils or usual hours of classes. PDE considers the World Health Organization-declared Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) global pandemic an emergency as contemplated by section 520.1. Accordingly, local governing boards have the authority to enact temporary provisions as set forth in section 520.1 during the period of the pandemic response and should consult their solicitor in this regard. Any school entity  that enacts such temporary provisions must submit the following to the Secretary of Education (Secretary) for approval: (1) board meeting minutes demonstrating approval of the temporary provisions, and (2) the temporary provisions adopted, including the school entity's proposed calendar and academic schedule. Beginning July 1, 2022 and before May 1, 2023, such information shall be submitted with or as an amended component of the school entity's Health and Safety Plan at RA-EDContinuityofED@pa.gov. Upon receipt, the Secretary will review to ensure board approval and that the school entity's plan accounts for at least 180 days and 990/900 hours of instruction. 

¹The Superintendent of Public Instruction is the Secretary of Education.

EITT Guidance and FAQ related to COVID-19 Closures