Skip Ribbon Commands
Skip to main content
An Official Pennsylvania Government Website
Translate
Begin Main Content Area

Activities That May and May Not Be Counted As Pupil Instructional Time

Activities that may be counted as pupil instructional time: 

  1. instruction of curriculum,
  2. pupil personnel services, such as guidance and counseling services, psychological services, speech pathology and audiology services, and pupil health services conducted during school hours, 
  3. opening exercises, homeroom periods, and supervised study halls, 
  4. assemblies, clubs, student councils, and similar activities conducted during school hours, 
  5. school, group or class educational trips, to which admission is not charged to students or parents, if accompanied by a certificated school employee, 
  6. civil defense, fire and other similar drills,
  7. kindergarten orientation activities, snack-time and play-time if they are an integral part of the kindergarten curriculum (Note: “Recess” time conducted with the same parameters as primary grade recess is not counted as instructional time.), 
  8. early dismissal and delayed opening due to inclement weather, and 
  9. for pupils in graduating classes, up to three days for graduation preparation within 60 days of the commencement ceremony under the supervision of certificated school employees. Graduation preparation may be held on Saturdays. 

Activities that may NOT be counted as pupil instructional time:

  1. lunch period: however, an exception is made for special education students identified as moderately to severely handicapped if their Individualized Education Program includes teaching social and motor skills related to meal-time activities such as the use of eating utensils, 
  2. recess and time for passing from class to class,
  3. early dismissal or delayed opening for reasons other than inclement weather, 
  4. teacher meetings dealing with routine matters, such as record keeping responsibilities, and other similar activities, 
  5. transportation of pupils; for example, time spent transporting students to an area vocational-technical school, 
  6. celebrating, picnicking, hunting, fishing, or harvesting crops, 
  7. any activity for which admission is charged to students or parents, and 
  8. viewing or reviewing material that has as its purpose the marketing of commercial products.