- Better Teacher and Student Morale. Some students feel the four-day school week provides an opportunity for extra rest and a less stressful environment.
- Reduced Discipline Referral Frequency. Fewer days spent in class might mean fewer discipline referrals for students. ...
- Improvement of Attendance. ...
- Academic Improvement. ...
- Reduction in Financial Cost. ...
What are the advantages of a four day school week?
What Are the Pros of a 4 Day School Week?
- It may reduce the number of discipline referrals for students. The Chattooga County School District in Georgia shifted to a 4-day school week. ...
- It may improve overall student attendance. The Melstone School District in Montana also shifted to a 4-day school week. ...
- Student performance may improve with a 4-day school week. ...
Why school should only be 4 days a week?
Reasons for implementing the shorter week vary, but most school districts implement a shorter week seeking to cut costs due to budget constraints. Research shows that the maximum possible cost savings for districts on a four-day week is 5.43 percent, but average savings range from 0.4 to 2.5 percent. The vast majority of four-day week schools are in small, rural districts; however, in recent years some larger, more urban districts have begun to consider the option of a shorter week.
Is a 4 day school week a good idea?
To avoid this issue, many school districts have considered shifting to a 4-day school week. The benefits of going to a 4-day week for schooling is that it offers teachers and students an additional day for rest every week. More rest then equates to dealing with less stress over the course of a school year.
What states have 4 day school weeks?
- Nearly half of the U.S. ...
- Four-day system is growing The four-day trend is concentrated primarily among more rural communities, but it's catching on in other places. ...
- Small percentage of students are actually affected By and large, the number of students who attend school on a four-day schedule is a mere fraction of the total number of ...
How does a four day school week affect students?
Students in the four-day weeks spent significantly more time on school sports and on chores than did those in five-day weeks. Four-day secondary students also spent more time on homework, at jobs, at school activities, and on hobbies than their counterparts.
What are the pros and cons of a 4 day school week?
What are the Pros and Cons of 4-Day School Weeks?Pros of the 4-day School Week.Adds flexibility to teacher's schedules. ... Increases student attendance. ... School districts save money. ... Easier to recruit employees. ... Cons of the 4-Day School Week.A potential decline in academic performance for vulnerable groups.More items...•
How does a 4 day school week improve grades?
Math scores for special-education students improve by 2.6 percent of a standard deviation after switching to a four-day week; reading scores do not change. For English learners, reading scores fall by 4.1 percent of a standard deviation, but math scores held steady.
Does a 4 day school week improves attendance?
A four-day school week can improve student and teacher attendance. Appointments for doctors, dentists, and home maintenance services are able to be scheduled on that extra day off. Doing this naturally boost attendance for both teachers and students.
Why should school be reduced to 4 days a week?
Increased attendance – the transition to 4 days has been proven to increase student attendance, in some schools by up to 20% in a two year period. More time for extra-curricular pursuits – An extra school-free day enables students to spend valuable time exploring their interests outside of the classroom.
What are the benefits of shorter school days?
Benefits of shorter school days for kids and teensMore time to explore hobbies. And no, that doesn't mean more time for social media or phone-scrolling. ... More sleep. ... More time to focus on mental health. ... Increased concentration in class. ... More opportunities for specific academic support. ... Increased family time.
Is four days the way to go to improve education for students?
Four-Day School Week Can Improve Academic Performance, Policy Study Finds. ATLANTA—Shortening the school week to four days has a positive impact on elementary school students' academic performance in mathematics, according to researchers at Georgia State University and Montana State University.
What are the cons of a 4 day school week?
1 Longer School Days. With an extra day off, one would assume that would mean less time in class. ... 2 Less Time for Extra Curricular Activities. ... 3 Education Retention. ... 4 Child Care.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of having longer school days but more days off school give reasons and examples to support your view?
Pros vs. Cons of Extended School DaysPro: More Time for Learning. Lengthening the school day will give teachers more time to spend with students, to focus on trouble areas and more difficult material. ... Con: More Time Doesn't Mean More Learning. ... Pro: More Time for Other Subjects. ... Con: Less Time for Outside Interests.
Can a 4 day school week improve mental health?
Having the ability to physically and mentally recuperate will increase performance and quality of work, and therefore, a four-day workweek will likely encourage learning in the classroom. Overall, having a four-day workweek will benefit students and adults alike, and should therefore be implemented.
Should the week be four days instead of five?
The four-day workweek has proved to maintain (and in some instances increase) productivity levels compared to a traditional five-day workweek. Remember the Microsoft Japan experiment? The company reported a 40% increase in productivity after giving its employees Fridays off during their trial.
Does shortening the school week impact student performance?
Our results generally indicate a positive relationship between the four-day week and performance in reading and mathematics. These findings suggest there is little evidence that moving to a four-day week compromises student academic achievement.
A broad picture from four-day districts
The study, released Oct. 7, was funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. A team of researchers used three main methods to study the complex phenomenon.
Focus groups flesh out a complex picture
Some scholars have criticized the approach on the grounds that it saves such seemingly small amounts of money.
What happens to student learning in four-day districts?
The study’s marquee finding will probably be what it says about student learning. To answer that tricky question, the researchers coupled student test-score growth data from a Stanford University project with federal data to adjust for district poverty and other factors.
Why are schools on a 4 day week?
The districts on the 4-day school week are finding it easier to recruit for the staff they need because they offer the prospect of a 3-day weekend during the school year. That additional day can also be used for staff development time instead of taking away a school day to do so.
What are the pros and cons of a 4 day school week?
12 Pros and Cons of a 4 Day School Week. December 16, 2019. May 25, 2017 by Louise Gaille. When Friday rolls around each week during the school year, many parents face the same situation. The kids groan, complain about getting out of bed , and struggle to get through the morning routine. Getting to school on-time or making it out for ...
How many school districts are there in Colorado?
In Colorado, 31 of the state’s 176 school districts are currently using a 4-day school week. These school districts are typically in isolated regions, are rural, and have a student body that is fewer than 500 students.
How many days are in a 4 day school week?
Students in a 4-day school week are packing 180 days into a condensed 145-day schedule. This means students in a district with this alternative schedule get out later for the holidays than students on the traditional Monday-Friday schedule.
How long is the school day in Cove School District?
For the Cove School District in Eastern Oregon, the school day begins at 8am and doesn’t end until 4pm.
How many days a week are school buses running?
There are potential reductions in the financial costs of running a school district. Because school buses are only running 4 days per week instead of 5 days, there is the potential of reducing transportation costs by up to 20% by shifting the schedule.
Why is it important to have a 4 day week?
The benefits of going to a 4-day week for schooling is that it offers teachers and students an additional day for rest every week. More rest then equates to dealing with less stress over the course of a school year.
What is a 4 day school week?
An understandable concern for parents, teachers, and students about the 4-day school week is the extended time required to be at school during the day. Two hours must be added to each day to make up for the added weekend day that is given. That means students are at school for 10-hour day instead of an 8-hour day.
Why is it cheaper to run a 4 day school week?
Rural school districts often look at the 4-day school week as an option because they are trying to meet tight budgetary constraints. By shifting to this new schedule, districts are able to immediately cut 20% from their transportation budget.
What time does school start for 4 days?
The school districts which have implemented the 4-day week typically hold class from 7:30 am to 5 pm each day, or from 8 am to 5:30 pm.
How many hours a week can a parent shift to after school?
That reduces child care costs throughout the week, especially if parents can shift their own schedule to a 4-day, 40-hour week with their employer. 5. School districts can plan after-school events with greater ease. Under the standard 5-day schedule that schools use, most practices for athletics occur in the afternoon.
Why do teachers take fewer days off?
The extra day off gives teachers more flexibility to engage in volunteer activities, hold down a second job if required, or rest after a difficult week.
Why do kids have little down time after school?
From athletics to extracurricular activities, many families find that they have very little down time after school because of the 10-hour day that is required. Trying to accommodate other schedules is virtually impossible if your school is the only one in the area on the 4-day week. 2.
How many hours of supervision is required for a 4-day school week?
Although parents might have reduced daycare needs for their children with a 4-day school week because only one day of supervision is required instead of five, the hours remain the same. Watching a student for 10 hours over 5 days, or one 10-hour day, results in the same care cost.
How does a four day school week help students?
A four-day school week can improve student and teacher attendance. Appointments for doctors, dentists, and home maintenance services are able to be scheduled on that extra day off. Doing this naturally boost attendance for both teachers and students.
Why do schools move to a four day school week?
Moving to a four-day school week saves the district money . Most schools that have chosen to move to a four-day school week do so because of the financial benefits. That one extra day saves money in the areas of transportation, food services, utilities, and some areas of personnel. Though the amount of savings can be argued, ...
Why is family time important?
Better Quality of Life for Families. The change can provide students and teachers more time with their families. Family time is an important part of American culture. Many parents and teachers are using the extra day off as a family day for activities such as exploring a museum, hiking, shopping, or traveling.
Why do teachers take a day off?
Many teachers are using the day off for professional development and preparation for the upcoming week. They are able to research and put together higher quality lessons and activities. Furthermore, some schools are using the day off for structured collaboration where teachers work and plan together as a team.
How many hours are required for a 4 day school week?
The standard requirement for schools is 180 days or an average range of 990-1080 hours.
How many hours does a school have to be in a week?
The standard requirement for schools is 180 days or an average range of 990-1080 hours. Schools are able to switch to a four-day week by simply increasing the length of their school day. Students are still getting the same amount of instruction in terms of minutes, just in a shorter number of days.
Is it bad to move to a 4 day school?
Moving to a four-day school week also has many drawbacks. The first of which is that it shifts a financial burden to parents. Childcare for that extra day off can become a major financial burden for working parents. Parents of younger students, in particular, may be forced to pay for costly daycare services.
How many days are allowed in a school week?
Most statutory guidelines do not specifically list four-day school weeks as an allowable schedule, but may allow calendar flexibility by expressing that the minimum instructional day requirement can also be counted in the hour or minute equivalent.
What is the challenge of 4 day school?
Four-day school weeks can also pose a challenge to families who are unable to find affordable, enriching care arrangements on the fifth weekday. Further, students who are food insecure may not have access to sufficient meals during the off day.
What is the 4 day week?
The vast majority of four-day week schools are in small, rural districts; however, in recent years some larger, more urban districts have begun to consider the option of a shorter week. Most four-day week schools operate Monday through Thursday, with a few opting for Tuesday through Friday. School days are lengthened to deliver the same amount ...
Why are school days lengthened?
School days are lengthened to deliver the same amount of instructional time over fewer days, as required by state law. Some schools may offer optional enrichment activities, tutoring, or schedule time for teacher development during the fifth day.
What school district in Colorado has a four day week?
Colorado School District 27J, located in the Denver metro area, announced that it would move to a four-day week starting in the 2018-19 school year. With an enrollment of more than 17,000, it is by far the largest district in the state to adopt the four-day schedule.
What are the negative effects of 4 day weeks?
A recent study in Colorado revealed another potential negative consequence of four-day weeks: increased juvenile crime. The authors estimate that shifting to a four-day schedule increases juvenile arrests for property crime—especially larceny— by 73 percent, but there was no change in drug-related or violent crimes.
How many days can a district have?
Most states allow districts to opt into a four-day week, either through flexible requirements, explicit administrative rules, or a waiver approval process. The level of legislative involvement in this process varies.
How many students are in 4 day school?
The majority of the districts that offer four-day schooling serve, on average, less than 1,000 students. Some states have the policy but don't enforce it. In addition to the 21 states that have four-day school weeks in effect, there are several more that have the appropriate guidelines in place but don't use them.
How many days a week can a student attend school?
Nearly 300 school districts across the country allow students to attend just four days a week. By and large, the number of students who attend school on a four-day schedule is a mere fraction of the total number of school-age children in the U.S.
How much did math scores rise in 3rd grade in Missouri?
A Missouri school district that moved to a four-day school week saw math scores rise by 7.6% for third graders, compared to a 12% drop among fourth grade students. College-bound students see fewer rewards. One of the most stressful parts of heading off to high school is taking college entrance exams.
How many states have a four day school system?
There are currently 21 states which feature schools that are actively operating on a four-day system. Four-day system is growing. The four-day trend is concentrated primarily among more rural communities, but it's catching on in other places.
What are the negative effects of switching to a four day week?
If they're not able to make up their hours, they risk seeing their paychecks shrink by as much as 20%. Some expenses aren't impacted at all.
Why is it important to give kids a longer weekend?
Giving kids a longer weekend may increase their motivation to get to class when they're supposed to. One district in Montana reported a 19% improvement in attendance after going from a five-day schedule to a four-day school week. Some states also report a boost academically.
When was the 4 day workweek first used?
First adopted in the 1930s, when the country was in the throes of the Great Depression, the four-day school week saw a resurgence during the energy crisis of the 1970s.
How many states have a four day week?
An estimated 560 districts in 25 states have allowed at least some of their schools to adopt a four-day week, with most moving to a Monday-to-Thursday schedule, according to the National Conference of State Legislators. Generally, schools make up for the lost day by adding extra time to the remaining four days.
Do low income parents have to pay for childcare?
Critics point out that the change can be tough on lower-income parents, who may have trouble paying for childcare on the day their kids no longer have class. Also, low-income students rely on public schools for almost half their meals — breakfasts and lunches during the week.
Why is it important to have a 4 day school week?
List of the Pros of 4-Day School Weeks. 1. It gives adults more flexibility with their child’s schedule. Although there is always some initial skepticism about switching to a four-day school week, parents and teachers typically find that the flexibility the schedule offers is a tremendous benefit.
What are the pros and cons of a 4 day school week?
List of the Cons of 4-Day School Weeks. 1. It may encourage a decline in academic performance. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, there is an unpublished study that looked at school districts in Oregon that have moved to the four-day schedule.
What holidays are on the four day schedule?
6. It often changes the holiday schedules for the school district. When a holiday comes around during the school year, such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter, then district who are on the four-day schedule will often take the entire week off instead of taking a day or two.
How long is the average school day?
It creates more time for teachers to spend on specific subjects. The average school day is about six hours long. Some districts will add another 15-30 minutes to that figure on a five-day schedule. It is easy to think of this period as being all learning time, but that is not the case.
How long is a lunch break in the morning?
You will have a 15-minute morning break, another one in the afternoon, and then 30-60 minutes for a lunch break. Now take away another 10 minutes for attendance, along with a similar amount of time to pack up and leave at the end of the day. If there’s an assembly, then that is another 20 minutes of lost time.
What states are implementing the 4 day school week?
There are currently four states which are leading the trend of implementing the four-day school week right now: Colorado, Oklahoma, Oregon, and Montana.
When was the alternative school schedule introduced?
It is an idea that has zero nobility behind it. The first school district to adopt this alternative schedule was in Cimarron, NM. They introduced the concept in 1972 as a way to save money on electricity and transportation during an energy crisis. In some rural districts, kids were spending 4 hours per day on the bus.
Why is it important to have a 4 day school week?
One of the primary reasons why school districts, especially rural districts, save money when they shift to a 4-day schedule is because there are fewer transportation costs.
What is the biggest concern about 4 day school week?
One of the biggest concerns of a 4-day school week is the length of seat time that younger students must complete. When implemented, however, 1st graders do just as well as teens with the expanded schedule and 3-day weekend.
How long is a typical school day?
Most students, especially younger ones, find that the traditional school schedule is already too long. Students usually go to school about 6 hours each day in most districts. With the 4-day schedule, another 1.5 hours is added to their school day, every day. That can make it difficult for some students to pay attention to the information being provided. When busing and after-school activities are included in that timeframe as well, some older students may find themselves putting in 12-hour days at school every day. That reduces the effective time they would have for homework once they actually make it home.
Why is shifting to a 4 day schedule easier?
By shifting to a 4-day schedule, it becomes easier to transport students to all after-school events and activities because there is an extra day available to plan activities without running into mandatory school times. 7. It follows a schedule pattern that is similar to what a parent’s schedule happens to be.
What do kids think about school?
If you ask the average kid what they think about school, you’ll get a very honest answer: “It’s boring.” From K-12, it can be difficult for students to stay engaged in the classroom during a 5-day school week. The schedule forces teachers to spend small blocks of time on specific topics without really being able to dig into in-depth issues.
What is alternative scheduling?
Alternative scheduling makes it easier to plan after-school events and activities. In the standard 5-day school week, sports practices occur after school. Games occur in the evening, often on the weekend. Sometimes, schools are forced to travel during the school week to play some games or attend certain events.
Why are 4-day weeks good for kids?
Kids that go to schools with the 4-day week are often happier, stay happy throughout the school year, and look forward to going to school each day. There tends to be less student exhaustion, which allows them to focus more on the learning process .
The Benefits of Moving to A Four-Day School Week
- Financial By altering the traditional school schedule, the idea is that districts can save money. Each school day involves expenses like utilities and water consumption, as well as meals and cafeteria expenses. Many school staff members earn hourly wages, so labor savings can add up on the days when they do not work. Educational During a four-day s...
The Challenges of Moving to A Four-Day School Week
- Financial Changing school scheduling means parents will need to secure childcare for the days children are not in school. The cost of safe and effective childcare, as well as additional expenses for meals at home that are normally provided in school, makes out of school costs increasefor parents. For families on a budget, this expense can be burdensome to the point of being unfeasi…
Should Schools Drop A Day of The Week?
- Like everything else in the educational system, every decision affecting such a large group of stakeholders requires a great deal of thought. When districts consider a four-day school week, they should take a full year to conduct research and discuss the challenges with all stakeholders prior to implementing a plan. Learn more about Lamar University’s online M.Ed. in Administratio…
A Broad Picture from Four-Day Districts
- The study, released Oct. 7,was funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. A team of researchers used three main methods to study the complex phenomenon. More than 1,600 U.S. school districts have adopted the model as of 2019-20. In some states, it represents a significant, widespread restructuring of district operations, including 60 percent of ...
Focus Groups Flesh Out A Complex Picture
- Some scholars have criticized the approach on the grounds that it saves such seemingly small amounts of money.But superintendents noted in interviews that even when the savings amounted to just a percentage or two, that was enough to hire an additional reading coach or fund some other program—no small feat in a time of fixed budgets and rising costs. Similarly, in one district…
What Happens to Student Learning in Four-Day Districts?
- The study’s marquee finding will probably be what it says about student learning. To answer that tricky question, the researchers coupled student test-score growth data from a Stanford University project with federal data to adjust for district poverty and other factors. Then they compared similarly situated four- and five-day districts across those time periods. The researchers found t…