School District Scrambles to Address Instructional Hours Shortfall
Photo: The Graphic
Source: Amherst Regional Public Schools
Superintendent Dr. E. Xiomara Herman (Dr. Xi) issued a statement on July 21 in response to a recent finding by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) that Amherst-Pelham Regional High School (ARHS) did not meet the state’s required minimum of 990 hours of structured learning time for the 2024–2025 school year.
The investigation originated from a complaint filed with DESE’s Problem Resolution System (PRS) Office on May 22, 2025, alleging that the ARHS daily schedule, specifically the Flex Block period, did not constitute structured learning time as defined by 603 CMR 27.04. On June 2, 2025, DESE formally requested a comprehensive Local Response from the district under PRS Case #13674.
The district submitted a full response by the June 17, 2025 deadline, including documentation such as the high school’s master schedule, daily start and end times, learning time breakdowns, the 2024–2025 academic calendar, and a description of non-traditional instructional blocks. Additionally, the district reviewed and clarified the function of Flex Block and its alignment to student learning outcomes.
Subsequently, DESE issued its Letter of Finding on July 18, 2025 at 4:58 pm, concluding that:
“Based upon the information in the record, including the 2024-2025 school calendar and the daily schedules for students at the High School, students at the District’s High School were scheduled to receive fewer than the required 990 hours of structured learning time required under 603 CMR 27.04(1). The Department calculated that Students at the High School received 895.50 hours of structured learning time for the 2024-2025 school year, which is fewer than the required 990 hours of structured learning time. Therefore, the Department finds that the District failed to comply with 603 CMR 27.04: Structured Learning Time Requirements for the High School.”
The discrepancy totaling 94.5 hours was identified through DESE’s calculation of total structured learning time for the 2024–2025 school year. The primary concern centered on how the Flex Block was implemented and whether it consistently met the state’s criteria for structured academic engagement. While Flex Block was designed to support student needs through enrichment, intervention, and advisory activities, DESE concluded that it did not consistently qualify as structured instructional time across the year.
In response, the district is actively reformatting the high school schedule for the upcoming year to ensure that all time counted toward the 990-hour requirement clearly meets DESE’s expectations. These revisions will be submitted to the Department by the August 1, 2025 deadline, as required in the Corrective Action Order.
“We are moving swiftly to address the discrepancy and ensure the revised schedule reflects both our instructional vision and regulatory compliance,” said Dr. Xi. “This is another opportunity to clarify expectations, strengthen systems, and ensure every minute of the school day is purposeful and aligned with student success.”
In addition, as part of the district’s initial response to DESE regarding the high school, Dr. Xi proactively requested a review of the Amherst Regional Middle School schedule to ensure that both secondary schools were aligned with state regulations. This request was submitted concurrently with the high school documentation on June 17, 2025, reflecting a broader effort to assess compliance across the entire region. “We are currently awaiting feedback from DESE regarding the middle school,” Dr. Xi stated. “My goal is to ensure we have a full regional understanding of how time is used for instruction—not just in response to findings, but as a matter of sound practice. It’s about ensuring every student, in every building, receives equitable access to high-quality, structured learning time.”
“As Superintendent, I take seriously our obligation to adhere to the law and ensure students receive the instructional time they are entitled to,” she said. “In my own evaluation, I emphasized the need to strengthen governance across our districts—not just to meet compliance, but to build systems rooted in integrity, transparency, and equity. Each complaint, each finding, while difficult, presents an opportunity to reflect, grow, and do better.”
“This moment is one of growth, accountability, and responsibility,” Dr. Xi continued. “Leadership must be responsive and responsible. As hard as change may be, we must be willing to pivot when needed, to ensure that what we do is aligned with both our values and the law. I ask for a spirit of growth mindset, collaboration, and cooperation as we take this next step together to strengthen our schools for all students.”
Is this because too many teachers have been issued pink slips over the past few years?
The “growth” should be in the number of teachers and academic courses in the Middle and High School.
The “accountability” and the “responsibility” rests with administration of the regional schools, with the Town Manager, and especially with the elected officials who appoint them and who vote the schools’ budgets.
So 94.5 hours “missing” means that Amherst high school students missed out on approximately 3 weeks of instruction. That is a shocking number in these days and times, especially considering what we are paying for the schools. Truly shocking — so who is being held accountable for this?