Abbreviated School Day Programs: What Parents Need to Know
Welcome to the Oregon Department of Education’s Parent Support Page for Abbreviated School Day Programs.
In this section of our website, you will find information about Abbreviated School Day Programs in Oregon including your rights as the parent of a student with a disability on an Abbreviated School Day Program, how to submit an Abbreviated School Day Program question or complaint to ODE, and where to find more resources.
What is an Abbreviated School Day?
Oregon law (ORS 343.321) says a student is on an abbreviated school day if they go to school for fewer hours than most other students in the same grade in their school district.
For example:
If your child is in 5th grade and most 5th graders in your child’s school district go to school from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., but your child goes home earlier, that may be an abbreviated school day.
There are a few special cases where the law treats certain types of schools and programs differently, but this is rare. Most of the time calculating a full school day is based on what most other students in the same grade are doing in your school district.
What is an Abbreviated School Day Program?
Oregon law (ORS 343.321) says an Abbreviated School Day Program is when:
- A student with a disability goes to school for less time than others in their grade in their school district
AND
- This happens for more than 10 school days in a year
When Are Abbreviated School Day Programs Used?
An Abbreviated School Day Program might be used in situations when a student with a disability needs a shorter school day for a brief or longer period of time.
This can happen when a full day of school does not work for or is unsafe for the student, and the IEP or 504 team agrees that a shorter day is needed to help the student be successful.
Here are a few examples of when an Abbreviated School Day Program might be used:
- After a hospital stay or serious illness, when the student needs time to get their strength back.
- When a student has a condition that makes a full day too tiring or overwhelming.
In all cases, the goal is to think about student needs and, as soon as possible, help your student return to a full school day.
Know Your Rights
As a parent or guardian, you have important rights when it comes to your student’s school day.
If your student’s school is talking about putting your student on a shortened school day, you have the right to help make that decision — and to say yes or no.
Below are your rights:
- Your student has the right to a full school day—just like any other student in the same grade in their school district.
- You have the right to be part of decision-making. The school cannot decide on its own to place your student on an abbreviated school day.
- You must give written permission before your student can be placed on an Abbreviated School Day Program.
- You have the right to say no. If you don’t agree that your student should be on a shortened school day, you do not have to agree.
- You have the right to change your mind about an abbreviated day schedule at any time. If you decide you no longer want your student on an Abbreviated School Day Program, you can take back (revoke) your written consent for your child to be on an Abbreviated School Day Program at any time by notifying your child’s school in writing.
- A shorter day cannot be used as a punishment. While students with disabilities can receive disciplinary consequences provided the disciplinary action meets all other state and federal requirements, they cannot have disciplinary consequences imposed upon them because of their disability.
- An abbreviated school day should only be used to meet student needs. It must never be used because of a lack of resources, staff shortages, or to make things easier for the school.
- Your child still has the right to learn. The school must still provide your child with the help and support they need.
Want a copy of your rights for future reference? You can download a document describing them here.
Do you have additional questions about the rules that apply to Abbreviated School Day Programs in Oregon? Check out our Abbreviated School Day Program FAQ or contact our Abbreviated School Day Programs Questions box at ODE.ASDPquestions@ode.oregon.gov.
Additional Resources: