Four-Day School Week Waiver

Four Day School Week Waiver

Department of Public Instruction | School Approval & Opportunity
North Dakota Century Code (NDCC) 15.1-06-04(5) requires a waiver for school districts wishing to implement a four-day school week. North Dakota Administrative Code (NDAC) 67-15-02 describes the requirements and application procedure for the four-day school week. Any school district using a four-day school week must comply with NDCC sections 15.1-21-03, 15.1-21-04, and 15.1-06-03, and 15.1-06-04.

Due Dates - Prior to the school year for which the four-day school week calendar is being sought:
- Initial applications must be received by March 1
- Extension applications must be received by July 1
Please choose one:

Initial Application - 1 school year only (complete all sections except Questions 9a and 9b)Initial Extension - 1 additional year (complete all sections and Questions 9a and 9b)Additional Extension - 5 additional years (complete the demographic information and Questions 9a and 9b)
Section 1: Demographic Information

Can be found in the Educational Directory, Section D
District/School Name
County Number
LEA Number
School Number
Address

Mailing Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState

ZIP Code
Administrator
Administrator Email
example@example.com
Date

MonthDayYear
Date
School years for which the waiver is being requested
Section 2: Justification for Wavier Request
1. List the goals and objectives of the district/school for this four-day school week proposal. In order for the waiver proposal to be approved, it must include a detailed description showing that it meets at least one of the following criteria, as outlined in NDAC 67-15-02: (1) encourages innovation; (2) provides improved educational opportunities or enhanced academic opportunities for students; (3) provides greater flexibility in the use of the school by current students; (4) provides for greater flexibility in the use of the school by individuals or groups other than current students; or (5) has the potential to result in significant cost savings for the district/school.
Please include as much information as possible to show the benefits of the four-day school week and its positive impact on student learning.
2. Provide documentation of community input into the four-day school week proposal, including written correspondence on the subject, collected surveys, summaries of oral contacts, and a summary of any discussions at public meetings or hearings. Please also include any community feedback received in opposition to the four-day school week, as well as any adjustments that the school district made to try to alleviate those concerns.
3. Provide a cost-benefit study, including potential for savings in transportation and energy costs. Please provide information on current costs, as well as the estimated costs should the school district move to a four-day school week. Please include as many details as possible.
4. Include the number of hours of instructional time for the school year immediately prior to the proposed change to a four-day school week. Please include a school calendar, the daily starting and dismissal times, and in the case of middle schools and high schools, a class schedule.
5a. Under the waiver proposal, how many hours of instruction would be provided for elementary students? Provide a school calendar and daily starting and dismissal times. [Note: The instructional time for elementary students under the four-day school week proposal must be at least nine hundred sixty-two and one-half hours for the school year.]
5b. Under the waiver proposal, how many hours of instruction would be provided for middle school and high school students? Provide a school calendar and a class schedule that covers each grade level. [Note: The instructional time for middle school and high school students under the four-day school week proposal must be at least one thousand fifty hours of instructional time for the school year].
6. Provide a contingency plan describing how the district/school will provide for makeup days and allowances for storms and other school closings. Please also include a contingency plan to provide services on the fifth day of the week for students and families that are burdened by the four-day school week (school meals, daytime activities, etc.).
7. Provide a professional development plan and explain how the district will offer professional development as a result of this four-day school week proposal. Please also provide information that describes how proposed professional development activities are expected to enhance academic opportunities and outcomes for students.
Section 3: Evaluation Plan

Explain specific plans to evaluate topics in Section 2. Attach additional documentation if necessary.
8a. How will student academic performance be measured under the four-day school week proposal? Please include grading methods, interim and summative testing procedures, and evaluation of student data used to improve instruction. What changes (if any) will occur as part of the shift to the four-day school week?
8b. How will the four-day school week proposal allow for greater flexibility in the use of school facilities by current students? Include information on daytime activities and food service that would be available on the fifth day of the week when school is not in session.
8c. How will the four-day school week proposal allow for greater flexibility in the use of school facilities by community members?
8d. How will the four-day school week proposal encourage innovation, and how will teachers develop and use innovative means of instruction? Please include information regarding relevant educational trends and research, as well as how the school district will determine the success of the innovation. Please also include information regarding how a four-day school week will allow for greater innovation and success than what would be expected in a traditional school calendar.
8e. How will the four-day school week proposal improve or enhance educational and academic opportunities for students?
8f. Please describe any significant cost-savings resulting from the proposed waiver. Compare present costs of the district/school and proposed reductions in the costs. [Note: The difference between present and proposed costs will be considered significant if the present costs are expected to exceed proposed costs by $40 per student]. Also, please provide information regarding how the expected cost savings will not reduce the quality of education or create an undue burden for students and families.
Section 4: Request for Extension Waiver

Please only fill out Section 4 if requesting an extension to an existing waiver
9a. If you are requesting an extension of a waiver previously granted under NDAC 67-15-02, provide evidence that (1) the district/school followed the four-day school week plan as approved by the State Superintendent, (2) the requisite number of instructional hours for elementary, middle, and high school students has been delivered, and (3) the instructional hours while using a four-day school week were equal to or greater than the instructional hours of the school year immediately preceding the initial use of the four-day school week.
9b. In addition, provide evidence that (1) innovation occurred in the school, (2) enhanced academic or educational opportunities were provided to students, (3) there was greater flexibility in the use of school facilities by students, non-students, or organizations, or (4) the school had substantial financial savings as a result of the four-day school week. Please include in your evidence information regarding how students benefitted from the four-day school week. [Note: A four-day school week extension may also be granted if a school demonstrates that the program has not resulted in a negative outcome in any of the preceding four criteria and that more time is needed to assure a sufficient evaluation period]. Information submitted may include information related to the long-term outcomes in the North Dakota PK-12 Education Strategic Vision Framework. These may include increases in the number of students who demonstrate reading proficiency in third grade, increases in the number of students who demonstrate math proficiency in eighth grade, increases in the number of students that meet expected learning gains each year, increases in the number of engaged students in the student engagement survey, increases in the number of students that graduate Choice Ready, and/or reducing the disparity in achievement for students with disabilities, students in poverty, and Native American students.
Administrator Signature

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File Upload - School Calendar

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File Upload - Bell Schedule

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File Upload - Board Minutes Approving Waiver Proposal

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File Upload - Additional Documentation (if needed)

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Four Day School Week Waiver

Section 1: Demographic Information

Section 2: Justification for Wavier Request

Section 3: Evaluation Plan

Section 4: Request for Extension Waiver