Classroom Instruction Time Varies by State

Due to differences in state laws and local rules governing school districts, children in some states receive as much as 196 hours, or five and a half weeks, more instruction time annually than children in other states.

Research recently published in the American Education Research Journal finds differences in the length of a school day or year translate to huge gaps in learning opportunities. Other key findings include:

• Children living in jurisdictions requiring the most time in school benefit from over two years more education over their K-12 careers than those living in areas that require the least.
• When accounting for student absences, suspensions, and classroom interruptions, time intended for instruction is lost.
• One-quarter of students nationwide missed at least 10 percent of the 2023-2024 school year.
• States that mandate a minimum number of days in the school year range from 160 required days (Colorado) to 186 days (Kansas). States mandating a minimum number of hours range from 720 hours (Arizona) to 1,260 (Texas).

For more information, check out the article Class Time Roulette: Kids Receive Up to Two Years More School Depending on Where They Live from The 74.