Should in-service days, when school is not in session for students but school staff are working, be included in the RMTS calendar?

Generally, the sample universe should include any days for which staff are paid, including in-service days. However, suppose an LEA chooses to exclude certain days (e.g., because no students are in attendance and no students will be receiving services). In that case, it must also exclude the costs associated with those days from the cost pool.

The Comprehensive Guide describes two options for the treatment of staff in-service days on the RMTS on page 112: 

1. The in-service days can be included among the potential days to be randomly sampled, with the related costs included in the cost pool; or

2. Both the in-service day and the related costs may be excluded from the time study.