Austin ISD will increase the number of instructional days in the 2026-27 academic year from 169 to 171, the district announced in a May 22 news release.
What’s changing
The AISD board passed the addition of two instructional days during a May 21 board vote.
The two additional days will be added in October and February as part of what the district describes as an effort to strengthen academic outcomes and expand learning opportunities for students, according to the release.
The calendar update is part of a longer-term plan to gradually reach 175 instructional days in future school years, AISD officials said.
Some context
Once AISD reaches the goal of 175 instructional days, the district would become eligible for supplemental funding under the Texas Education Agency's Additional Days School Year program.
This program, established by House Bill 3 in 2019 and updated by House Bill 2 in 2025, provides formula funding for districts operating beyond a 175-day minimum, according to TEA.
The announcement comes as AISD faces a projected budget shortfall heading into the 2026-27 school year, according to Community Impact reporting. The district's board of trustees is weighing a proposed budget that includes cuts to library staffing, extracurricular programs, and campus consolidations.
For more information on the updated calendar, visit www.austinisd.org.