The number of school days that schools are required to be in session by the Iowa Department of Education is how many days?

• A. 185
• B. 180
• C. 170
• D. 190

Answer: (B)

The main idea being tested is the minimum number of instructional days a school must have in a year. In Iowa, the Department of Education sets a standard for how many days students should be in class to ensure enough time for all required curriculum and assessments. The required amount is one hundred eighty days of student instruction. That means the school calendar should include 180 days when students are in school; holidays and professional development days are counted separately as non-instructional time.

Why this is the best answer: 180 days is the state minimum the district must meet; it ensures consistent instructional time across districts. Options that are higher than 180 exceed the minimum, and options lower than 180 would not meet the state requirement.