RATIONALE/OBJECTIVE:

To be developed.

RULE:

The length of the school day for students in kindergarten shall be at least 4 1/2 clock hours (270 minutes) exclusive of lunch and recess periods.

The length of the school day for students in grades 1-3 shall be at least 5 clock hours (300 minutes) exclusive of lunch and recess periods.

The length of the school day for students in grades 4-5 shall be at least 5 1/2 clock hours (330 minutes) exclusive of lunch and recess periods.

The length of the school day for students in grades 6-12 shall be at least 5 1/2 instructional hours (330 minutes) exclusive of lunch periods.

The academic year shall be planned in each school for 180 full school days.

A. Administratively scheduled Non-Instructional Activities

Administrators of elementary, middle and high schools may use a maximum of the equivalent of 3 instructional days per year to schedule non-instructional activities. These activities are defined as those involving instructional time which are not coordinated by a certified teacher (or substitute) and not relating directly to the course content as defined in Cobb County Curriculum guides.
No one class period (segment) may be missed more than 3 times by students for administratively scheduled non-instructional activities.

B. School-Sponsored Non-Instructional Activities

Individual students in grades 9-12 may be permitted to be absent from a class or segment 10 times per year for school-sponsored non-instructional activities. These absences are in addition to classes missed for administratively scheduled non-instructional activities.

C. Unstructured Break Time (Recess) in Grades K-8

1. Grades K-5:

In accordance with Georgia Code each elementary school principal, with input from grade level teachers, the Director of Elementary Curriculum, and their Area Assistant Superintendent, shall determine if unstructured breaks are to be held.

If the determination is made to hold unstructured break time, the elementary school principal will establish guidelines that:

a. define the length, frequency, timing and location of breaks for students.

b. state whether or not breaks can be withheld from students for disciplinary and/or academic reasons, and the conditions under which such breaks could be withheld.

c. ensure break time is well supervised and safe.

d. ensure that each student receives maximum instructional time to support increased student achievement.

2. Grade 6-8:

Middle school students are required to have 300 minutes in the academic block of classes. Additionally, middle school students participate in connections classes and the middle school health and physical education program.

Middle school students have unstructured, supervised, scheduled break time from instruction during class changes. Additional unstructured break time is not authorized at the middle school level.

Legal Reference: OCGA '' 20-2-57; 20-2-59

Adopted: 7/11/84
Reclassified an Administrative Rule: 9/1/04
Revised: 8/8/84; 3/24/88; 1/10/90; 6/25/92; 8/9/95; 3/13/02, 11/10/04