For Elementary and Secondary Schools
• School calendars must include at least 180 instructional days.
o Information on waivers from this requirement can be found below.
o Note that routine distance learning days count as “instructional days” for schools
approved by their authorizer – DCPS or DC Public Charter School Board – to provide
regular or otherwise routine distance or hybrid learning instructional days.
o Situational distance learning days also count as “instructional days” but cannot be
built into a school calendar.
o More information on distance learning can be found starting on page seven.
• Each instructional day must contain at least 6 hours, which may include lunch periods, recess,
and class breaks.

Here is the guidance

https://osse.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/osse/page_content/attachments/SY25-26%20Instructional%20Day%20and%20Distance%20Learning%20Guidance.pdf

Charters use accounting tricks to pretend they are providing 180 days of instruction. Some are nowhere even close to 180 days.

It isn't legitimate, but it is allowed.

Our charter has asynchronous learning days already built into the calendar. Do these really count towards the 180 days of instruction mandated by OSSE? Also, it seems they are using packet work during these snow days to also count as asynchronous days. Is this legit?