At a Glance
- Texas Education Agency (TEA) permits districts closed on Jan. 28 to request a waiver for the third missed day.
- Districts must vote to apply the exception; the first two missed days must still be covered by built-in bad-weather days.
- Without the waiver, schools would need to add time to the academic year or extend daily hours.
- The Texas Education Code requires 75,600 minutes of instruction each year.
The winter storm that kept Dallas and Fort Worth schools closed for a third day has led the Texas Education Agency to offer a special waiver. Districts that remained shut on Jan. 28 can avoid making up the lost time if they follow the steps outlined by TEA Commissioner Mike Morath.
Background
The TEA confirmed on Tuesday that districts closed on Jan. 28 are eligible for a waiver for that third missed day. The agency clarified that the first two missed days-Monday and Tuesday-must still be covered by the districts’ built-in bad-weather days. This means those days are counted toward the required instructional minutes. The waiver is designed to prevent districts from having to add extra days or extend school hours to meet state attendance requirements.
Waiver Details
To qualify, a school board must vote to request the exception. The request must be submitted before the district can add time to the school year or lengthen the school day. If approved, the closed day on Jan. 28 will not be counted as a missed instructional day. This allows districts to maintain their existing calendar without additional instructional hours. The waiver is a one-time relief for the specific winter-weather closure.
Attendance Requirements
The Texas Education Code mandates that each school year must contain 75,600 minutes of instruction. This figure is derived from the total number of school days and the average length of a school day. Schools must meet or exceed this amount to satisfy state regulations. Missing days can jeopardize a district’s ability to meet the requirement unless they are covered by built-in bad-weather days or other approved mechanisms.
Impact on Districts
Without the waiver, districts would face two options: 1) add additional days to the academic calendar, or 2) extend the length of each school day to accumulate the necessary minutes. Both options can strain resources and disrupt student schedules. The waiver therefore offers a practical solution that preserves the existing calendar while still meeting state mandates.
Process for Requesting a Waiver
- Board Vote – The school board must hold a meeting and vote to request the waiver.
- Documentation – Provide evidence of the closure and the dates affected.
- Submission – File the request with the TEA before the district attempts to adjust the calendar.
- Approval – The TEA reviews the request and, if compliant, grants the waiver.
The process is straightforward but requires timely action by the district’s leadership. Failure to submit the request in time could force districts to pursue the more burdensome calendar adjustments.
Key Takeaways
- The TEA offers a waiver for districts closed on Jan. 28.
- The first two missed days must be covered by built-in bad-weather days.
- Without the waiver, districts must add time or extend school days.
- The waiver helps districts meet the 75,600 minutes instruction requirement.
The winter storm’s impact on the school calendar has prompted a clear policy response from the Texas Education Agency. Districts that comply with the waiver process can avoid unnecessary calendar changes while staying in line with state law.
