Do 4-day school weeks positively affect student outcomes? There is the possibility of making up for lost time, especially those who are at a disadvantage due to the digital divide. Your email address will not be published. Students attending a 4-day school schedule may have requirements for their education that fall outside of the normal work schedule for their parents. Colorado, juvenile crime increased by 73% whenever a school changed their Spread the loveTeachers need to realize that at home, in their neighborhoods, and in school, many students face difficulties that can interfere with learning. Financial problems is was most of a four day school week is about. Very Costly. Why Should School Days Be Longer? (Best solution) Overall, a shorter school schedule resulted in a 7% increase in math scores and a 3% gain in reading. The University of New Mexico Newsroom: Research Study Yields Unexpected Conclusion About Longer School Years. According to ASCD, many disciplinary issues that students face come from scheduled transitions. What we envisage may not be the most straightforward or the most conventional ideas. When students are too tired or mentally exhausted to concentrate at the end of the day, the last hour becomes meaningless. The standard requirement for schools is 180 days or an average range of 990-1080 hours. Savings on school buses and long-term building wear and tear have also been reported. There are potential reductions in the financial costs of running a school district. As you can see, there are a lot of pros and cons to the 4-day school week, but in terms of its long-term effect on academic outcomes, the jury is still out. Children have more time to participate in other activities that help them learn more. The pros and cons of a 4-day school week offer many challenges. List of Cons of Implementing 4-Day School Weeks 1. Christmas and Spring holiday weeks may be extended as well. This occurs because a large number of students are moving around the school campus. But the extra money hasn't gone into teachers' salaries, which have dropped on average from . Should the school day start later pros and cons? Are shorter school days better? - Global Answers Arlene Ackerman says she and her students don't have the strength to teach or learn near the end of the school day. Longer school days may have some positive impact on student achievement, but research on their effects is lacking. In-depth consultation between all constituents reveals the pros and cons of extended school days. Longer school days make no sense when there is so much else we could be doing with our time. The Pros and Cons of a Shortened School Schedule Every issue has its good and bad bits, and the same is true for districts making the switch to a shortened school week. Teachers can use more time in the day to go on field trips or expand content areas. This issue occurs at all grade levels. Elizabeth Perle 1). His conclusion was that the best way to solve poverty was to educate the children in public schools. Advantages of a Shorter Work Week People who work a four-day week say they're healthier, happier, and less time-pressured, according to a report in The Atlantic - and their employers say their employees are much more focused and efficient. Many break times have been incorporated in the calendar, such as morning recess, afternoon recess, snack time, and so on. Those human beings that seem larger than life and almost achieve Godlike status. configuration, but nine districts were actually spending more. There will be days, even with the best efforts of everyone involved, where a student is stuck with an after-hours activity, deep into the night, after being in class for most of the day. For school districts struggling with funding issues, the potential savings here could save the budget. 3. It may reduce the number of discipline referrals for students. Shorter School Days Are the Way - The Oarsman She is the author and co-author of 12 books and serves as a consultant in K-12 and higher education. Most students, especially younger ones, find that the traditional school schedule is already too long. Another is that shorter days could lead to shorter attention spans in classrooms. Spread the loveThis term refers to the grouping of students by mental capability, aptitude, or hobbies. At my school, class went from 8:15 a.m. until 4:15 p.m. about an hour or two longer than a typical five-day-week school's day. 4. 4 Day School Week Statistics: Pros and Cons Debate - CreditDonkey It is critical to maintain a consistent schedule and not change it on a weekly basis in order to give students the best chance of success. Con: A longitudinal study in New Mexico looked at the performance difference in K-3 students from seven different school districts. After-school jobs are a common way for teens to make money. Pro: An extended school day provides more time for students to learn and the possibility of providing individualized attention for students in need. Students usually go to school about 6 hours each day in most districts. Teachers are frequently overworked and required to perform tasks that are outside their job description. There have been several studies that reported the 4-day school week had positive effects on student's math and reading scores. Pros and cons of a four day working week. That also makes scheduling problematic for many families. 15 Major Pros and Cons of Early School Start Times More time to focus on mental health In the typical K-12 schooling model, mental health education is too often shunted aside. (5) Most costs that were reduced were Operations and maintenance, heating and cooling, janitor supplies. Saving on utilities school buses, and long term building wear and tear. Teachers have more time to prepare lessons and collaborate during the day. Your email address will not be published. Some schools even require students to have the belt line exposed at all times for fear of guns concealed under clothing. Along with giving kids more time to concentrate on critical activities, a shortened school day would also provide pupils with more opportunity to relax. 1. Sometimes even starting school earlier in the . We were able to build a strong community and school consensus as a result of our programs success. Younger people shouldn't have to work as long as some adults do. Examining the pros and cons of year-round school gives insight into why some education leaders push for its adoption while others argue for sticking to the traditional 10-month schedule. Why School Days Should Be Shorter? (Solution) - Public school For non year-round schools the dropout rate is 5%, which is more than all year-round schools. 12 Pros and Cons of a 4 Day School Week (2023) When Friday rolls around each week during the school year, many parents face the same situation. 12 Pros and Cons of a 4 Day School Week - Vittana.org That means the students in those districts have better opportunities to learn. Spread the loveOne of the questions that I am frequently asked is, what does a good teacher look like? The In Colorado, 31 of the states 176 school districts are currently using a 4-day school week. Con: A lengthened school day may impede upon extracurricular activities, especially in secondary education. Such as emotional and behavioral problems, violence, depression, alcohol use, impaired cognitive function, etc. There are a few reasons why shorter school days could be beneficial. Teacher time will be increased when the school day is extended, allowing them to spend more time with pupils and to concentrate on problem areas and more challenging content. It has been so problematic that in Colorado, some urban districts which switched to a 4-day school week have gone back to the traditional scheduling instead. All rights reserved. Our general school hours run from 9 am - 2 pm, with extra . How does it impact your success? Imagine a school year that gave the students one week off after every quarter and every Friday off. If so, keep reading. It is important to consider all of the factors before making a decision. The disadvantage is that more time does not equate to more learning. Pros & Cons of Longer School Lunches | livestrong Students who attend year-round school have the same number of school days as their counterparts following a traditional schedule. This extra hour can make the day pretty long especially for younger students, which can often lead to a loss of focus later in the day. The organization 4 Day Week Global sponsored the program. That means the average cost, per student, is about $700. There should be year round schooling because it can help students learn more and forget less, other classes are included and childcare is provided, teachers get more time to plan and teach lessons. A longer school day would involve substantial funding for teacher salaries and facility maintenance. 10 Reasons Why School Days Should Not Be Shorter? (TOP 5 Tips) There are numerous advantages and disadvantages to each. Adds flexibility to teachers schedules. Some families find that aligning the school day with typical parent work schedules is a family-friendly approach. There are many changes with switching the school days. The challenges of implementing such a schedule for parents, administrators, and even some teachers have caused some Colorado school districts to return to the traditional schedule instead of the alternative 4-day schedule. If practicums can be included with small group discussions, the retention rate can top 90% for some students. It changes the holiday schedules for the school district. There are approximately 300 children enrolled in California Elementary School under the age of eight. Children have a six-week summer break and ten days of off every 45 days of class. The Alaska school year averaged about 180 days in length, and the school day was 6.48 hours long. It is encouraged for students to try new things in order to benefit from them. They balk at the idea of kids attending schools with no summer break. Unbiased Longer School Days Pros and Cons | Navajo Code Talkers Cons of the 4-Day School Week. The. It might help school districts save money. The Chattooga County School District in Georgia shifted to a 4-day school week. Longer school days would provide students with more time to focus on core subjects or classes where they need more instruction, which would be a huge benefit. Instead, an investment should be made in improving teaching strategies and new technology that could transform the learning process. Children need the opportunity to rest and re-energize, and theyre often overextended with activities, homework and part-time jobs. A low income school in New Haven, Connecticut started the new year telling students they would be attending school until 4:15 P.M. four days a week. Shorter School Days Are the Way. These school districts are typically in isolated regions, are rural, and have a student body that is fewer than 500 students. Custer School District, in rural South Dakota, believed they could save $70,000 with a 4-day school week. In 2009, there were 3,000 schools in the United States operating on a year-round basis. There are some drawbacks to shorter school days, as well. Pro: An extended school day provides more flexibility for parents, eliminating the need for after-school care. Which one is the best? Additional costs savings from a shorter day include less . There tends to be less student exhaustion, which allows them to focus more on the learning process. Teachers report Year-round education (YRE) is being considered or adopted by some districts. What Are the Pros of a Longer School Day? In 2022, companies in the U.K., the U.S., and Canada instituted a four-day workweek pilot program to test the concept. Pros And Cons Of A Four-Day School Week - The Odyssey Online Many schools are, in fact, offering year-round services now to accommodate the changing needs of their communities. Traditional vs. Five-day schools still have the edge in many districts Despite the fact that many districts have seen their test scores make a substantial leap, there are some five-day schools that are still outpacing them academically. Four day school weeks are becoming a necessity for some rural school districts that lack funding. It may eliminate common holidays, such as Memorial Day or Labor Day, from the schedule. Oklahoma Department of Education examined the economic effect of going to a 1. Alexander Alvarez, Reporter November 16, 2021. Going to the 4-day schedule can create scheduling conflicts with other districts, particularly with sporting events, performances, and groups like 4-H. Pros and Cons of a Shorter Workweek. . Also, there have been studies that found that special populations do not thrive under this configuration. Does precision really make a program successful? time attracting qualified applicants. Increase Engagement and Productivity. After 12 hours of being away from home, students struggle to find time to study during the 4-day school week. While some research has shown that increasing the amount of time spent in class can boost student accomplishment, these findings have been influenced by factors such as the classroom atmosphere, the quality of instruction, and students prior knowledge and abilities. Sara Blackwell teaches Employment Law at University of South Florida in Tampa and she is a published author. 5. More than 80% of people in the UK would prefer a four day working week, according to a survey in 2021 by recruitment company Reed. This creates challenges for families that range from transportation to daycare and could make it difficult for parents to be fully involved with their childs education. Better Employee Engagement A 4 day week can lead to happier and more committed employees. There is no one answer to this question as every disabled students experience is unique. You have a lifespan that is nine years less than people who graduate: Statistically, you may have a shorter lifespan than people who have gone to school and have been empowered. Longer school days may lead to attention deficit and fatigue, making the extra class time ineffective. Shifting to this schedule does have certain disadvantages, especially for working parents. Advantages Of Five Day School Week Traditional Five Day Class Week Should be Resumed Samantha, a freshman college student taking up Bachelor of Science in Nursing, values her education so much. Children would get up early and help with chores, go to school and then help out on the farm until sundown. 1. 1. If you ask the average kid what they think about school, youll get a very honest answer: Its boring. From K-12, it can be difficult for students to stay engaged in the classroom during a 5-day school week. Recent survey findings show that four-day school weeks have been adopted as a way to alleviate budgetary issues, attract teachers, and reduce student absencesissues that the pandemic . "I get really tired throughout the day and I would love shorter school hours." In New Mexico, 18 of the states 89 school districts are currently using this alternative schedule. When making a decision about whether to adopt a shorter school week, it is important for school districts to consider the 4 day school week pros and cons. Pros And Cons Of Five Day School Week Though some people say that four days in a school week will help students in certain classes especially in math, this test only worked on 4th and 5th graders. All rights reserved. What are the advantages and disadvantages of including issues such as child care? over 1 million dollars on utilities, busing, and labor costs. The school also doesn't have to pay anyone that is on an hourly schedule. Pros and cons of shorter work weeks - Royal Examiner 2 Students Should Be Getting More Rest In addition to students having more time to focus on important activities, a shorter school day would give them more time to rest.