Section 4: Shortened Day

Shortened School Day, Including Tutoring

Before considering a shortened day or district tutoring for a student, teams must consult with Student Services staff, including the Student Services Director or Assistant Director, District Behavior Consultant, or Special Services TOSA. 

A shortened school day means any school day during which a student receives instruction or educational services for fewer hours than other students who are in the same grade within the same school.

IEP teams may provide an abbreviated school day program to a student only if the student’s individualized education program team:

• Determines that the student should be placed on an abbreviated school day program: 

  • Parent Agrees

  • Based on the student’s needs; and

  • After the opportunity for the student’s parents/guardians to meaningfully participate in a meeting to discuss the placement; and

  • Documents that the team considered at least one option that included appropriate supports for the student and that could enable the student to access the same number of hours of instruction or educational services that are provided to students who are in the same grade within the same school.

If a student is placed on a shortened school day program, the IEP case manager must, at least once every 30 days, or up to 90 days with written parent consent, provide parents/guardians with written notice of:

• The school district’s duty to comply with the requirements of this section;

• The prohibition against a school district unilaterally placing a student on an abbreviated school day program; and

• The student’s presumptive right to receive the same number of hours of instruction or educational services as other students who are in the same grade within the same school and the parent’s right to request, at any time, a meeting of the individualized education program team to determine whether the student should no longer be placed on an abbreviated school day program.

The IEP case manager MUST also obtain a signed acknowledgment from the parent of the student that the parent received the information described above. This letter must be accessed by contacting Special Services Staff.

The IEP MUST include a written statement that explains the reasons the student was placed on an abbreviated school day program.

Note: A similar team process must occur for any general education student for whom a team is considering a shortened day. Consult with Special Services Staff prior to meeting.