It was a kneejerk response to dwindling education budgets and the belief that schools could save a ton of money by operating Monday through Thursday, which in theory would lower their operating expenses. Some districts take just one week off at Christmas instead of two weeks because of these conflicts. Teachers can use more time in the day to go on field trips or expand content areas. However, these basics vary, depending on a company's policy. On the other hand, there have been studies that found no significant difference in overall academic achievement between four-day districts and five-day districts. Finally, shorter school days could result in less time for extracurricular activities, which could have a negative impact on student morale. 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. It changes the holiday schedules for the school district. Anecdotal evidence also suggests that attendance improves; parents and teachers can schedule doctor's appointments and other weekday commitments for Fridays rather than during school days. Cutting that by 20% means a savings of $4 billion, if implemented nationwide. There are approximately 300 children enrolled in California Elementary School under the age of eight. Changing the Moniteau County R-1 School districts schedule to a four-day week would be detrimental to students safety and involvement in activities. That reorganization, though, and the underlying effort, will have much to do with reviving the American education system, and reviving a national love of learning. Over the last century, humans have acquired a staggering amount of knowledge and understanding. This got me thinking about the pros and cons of longer vs. shorter trips. Shorter school days should be used in the United States education system since they have several advantages. Extending the school days even longer would further cut into valuable time to bond with family. The Edvocate was created in 2014 to argue for shifts in education policy and organization in order to enhance the quality of education and the opportunities for learning afforded to P-20 students in America. Many schools are, in fact, offering year-round services now to accommodate the changing needs of their communities. The Advantages and Disadvantages of Extended School Days Advantage: More time to devote to learning. Long summers are known to cause "summer slide," or the decline of academic skills and knowledge over the course of the extended vacation. Most schools, when Year Round Schooling: Should it Be Implemented? Ages. In many US school districts, the first class begins 1-2 hours after most parents need to be at work. Spread the loveUsually, people are under the wrong impression that geography does not offer many job opportunities, and there are no jobs for a geographer. 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. Administrative staff are required to be on-site, sports . These are more reasons CHS should move to a four day school week. And the school districts in the state have stable student achievement levels on their standardized tests. There are positive outcomes that may occur, but there are negative outcomes that must also be managed. In 1995, 84 school districts were studied that had already implemented a 4-day school week. Because of this, school districts dont have a hard Students usually go to school about 6 hours each day in most districts. The Alaska school year averaged about 180 days in length, and the school day was 6.48 hours long. 5. Changing school start times will increase attendance and money brought in. Savings on school buses and long-term building wear and tear have also been reported. To compare, a regular semester generally lasts 16-18 weeks. Staff recruitment is easier with the 4-day school week for school districts. According to ASCD, many disciplinary issues that students face come from scheduled transitions. Granby School District in Colorado shifted to a 4-day schedule for their 1,100 students. Students spend less time on the bus. Copyright (c) 2023 Matthew Lynch. Spread the loveTeachers need to realize that at home, in their neighborhoods, and in school, many students face difficulties that can interfere with learning. Rural school districts and small school districts benefit the most from a 4-day schedule because of their natural isolation. A poll where 2,700 random people were polled about 67% favoured a 4 day school week(university of Scranton). The most popular is a 32-hour work week, which means people work 8 hours per day, 4 hours in a week. 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. The only students who actually get to benefit from the 4-day school week are those that do not have any extra-curricular activities in which they are involved. The only question is does it hurt students education but the statistics are showing that is clearly not the case one bit. Other Debates. It's almost the end of the first semester, and realizations are starting to set in. By switching to a 4-day school week, the number of transitions can be reduced because more time can be spent on each subject. In general, ELT has received positive feedback; however, some schools have had more difficult transitions than others. Does this sound exciting and rich with possibilities? Opportunity to relax and really immerse yourself in the experience. Money is saved on that day because they don't have to run lights, heater or AC. Working a couple of hours after school gains experience and disposable income. Those human beings that seem larger than life and almost achieve Godlike status. Easier to recruit employees. 3. 5. 3. They balk at the idea of kids attending schools with no summer break. The school day was originally created to meet the needs of farmers. Teachers will have more leisure time to spend with their family as a result of the reduced school days. Since an entire day is cut off the week, that extra time needs to be made up during the remaining four days. In the United States, only five states require recess in elementary schools, with Texas not one of them. The Oakridge School District in Oregon reported that their test scores improved when they shifted to this alternative schedule as well. The evaluated skills include science, math, and reading. The disadvantage is that more time does not equate to more learning. That is a lot of time taken away, but if the school days were shortened, you would have a lot more time to do your activities. A potential decline in academic performance for vulnerable groups. This has been a hot topic especially the states that dont have as large of an economy. We call for a relatively radical and certainly quite comprehensive reorganization of Americas P-20 system. It can also be difficult to monitor, as students may be able to find ways to sneak in a recess break even when they are supposed to be punished. In New Mexico, 18 of the states 89 school districts are currently using this alternative schedule. Younger people shouldn't have to work as long as some adults do. Pros and Cons of the Four-Day Week Proponents of four-day school weeks say that even though cost savings are minimal, they are achieved. This leads to added costs that some families, living paycheck to paycheck, may not be able to afford. For some, a 4-day week makes perfect sense. The Melstone School District in Montana also shifted to a 4-day school week. Childrens schooldays should be around 8 hours long, and they should be school-aged all year. The. Home Pros and Cons 20 Major Pros and Cons of a 4 Day School Week. That is because larger districts offer more activities, manage more student events, and operate essentially 7 days per week during the school year anyway. Bisbee Unified School District (AZ) saved $154,000, Duval County Public School (FL) saved $7 million, and Lake Superior School District (MN) $200,000. In 2007-2008, the United States had an average school day of 6.64 hours per day, and an average school year of 180 days. But just because the final bell rang doesnt mean that youre done. districts think they will save tons of money by cutting operational costs on The schools who did switch the expenses reduced by 20%, transportation would reduce also by 20%, and the average district could have saving of 5.43% total budget. 2. Even the cost savings of a total shift to a 4-day schedule may be minimal. A new educational model could be implemented: 9-to-5 schools. Shifting to this schedule does have certain disadvantages, especially for working parents. Du Bois Essay Topics to Write about, Most Interesting Volvo Essay Topics to Write about, is a phenomenon that has been sweeping across the U.S. Students in the third through sixth grades have improved their ACT scores, according to studies. These schools save all this money from just switching to a shorter week. There are several major pros and cons of a 4-day school week which must be considered by school districts looking to make this kind of change. Potential for juvenile crime to increase. Well, at least initially. How To Switch School Districts Without Moving? Some school districts, particularly those that are in regions of the U.S. where snowfall creates a handful of cancellations each year, find that they are forced to reduce, if not eliminate, certain holidays or vacations. My main concern is that most kids will not be able to focus by the end of the day because the school days will be longer,and so there would be no point in trying to teach at the end of the day. Many break times have been incorporated in the calendar, such as morning recess, afternoon recess, snack time, and so on. Budgetary requirements are an important part of a longer school days pros and cons list. There were also reduced sick days requested by their teaching staff. Small group learning with discussion, for example, increases the information retention rate for students up to 80%. Additionally student involvement and safety would suffer. Rural school districts find the greatest benefit in this area. Who Sang For Troy In High School Musical? Shorter days can only be seen as a positive thing and would benefit students, teacher, and administrators. (Lewis) In Bonneville, Idaho the school started later in the day which resulted in absences dropping 15%. Spread the loveAre you looking for strategies to help students who cannot fasten their own clothes? Data is an important variable if youre considering the longer school days pros and cons list. But recently, there has been a move towards shorter weeks across the United States. For the parents of younger students, an additional full day of daycare may need to be scheduled every week instead of a partial day. As a result, learning is less effective due to budget constraints. Spread the loveThis program assesses 15-year-old students schooling in countries that form part of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. First and foremost, an extended school day would provide students with extra learning time. He goes on to say that in order to realize that level of savings, schools must severely limit transportation for activities or programs not conducted on regular school days. That reduces the effective time they would have for homework once they actually make it home. flexibility to teachers schedules and as a result, makes their jobs more The Chattooga County School District in Georgia shifted to a 4-day school week. Those against extended lunches might argue . Con: A lengthened school day may impede upon extracurricular activities, especially in secondary education. Teachers have more time to prepare lessons and collaborate during the day. These actions often negate the benefits of the 3-day weekend because it really isnt a true 3-day weekend. At the same time, the constant back-and-forth for students limits the amount of fun they can have. Students are engaged more fully when their school schedule is expanded, and they learn more efficiently when they are exposed to a more stimulating environment. Rural areas report that their student attendance has increased since switching to the 4-day school week. By 2013, a dramatic improvement in scores was credited to the extended learning time. on those days off. It also means that students face more daily seat time, in exchange for a 3-day weekend which may not materialize with their after-school commitments. In general, taking away recess as punishment may be seen as unfair or too harsh, especially for young children. In the United States, $17.5 billion each year is spent on school bus transportation. The benefits are many. The schedule change also shifted how teachers assigned homework, making it more efficient and focused. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Signup for The Edvocate Newsletter and have the latest in P-20 education news and opinion delivered to your email address! 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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. The very thought of sending kids to school year-round makes some parents cringe. However, there are advantages and disadvantages associated with shortening the school day that should be considered before sweeping action is taken to alter the traditional school day. . A 4 day work week would promote an equal workplace as employees would be able to spend more time with their families and better juggle care and work commitments. Pro: An extended school day provides more flexibility for parents, eliminating the need for after-school care. Time of day effects may be induced by variations in the quality of instructors instruction, changes in the learning abilities of students, or differences in student attendance patterns. The Pros of Longer School Days More Time for Instruction The number one reason for lengthening the school day is to provide teachers with more time for instruction. configuration, but nine districts were actually spending more. This schedule cycles consistently throughout the year while making minor adjustments for major holidays and teacher workdays. 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. In many cases, it is in the best interests of students to reduce costs and have minimal impact on instruction. After-school activities begin at that point, which means some students dont make it back home until 8pm that night. Increases student attendance. A small portion of the districts cash is saved, but not as much as intangibles. Four day school weeks may not be a realistic situation for all schools throughout the nation, but for those that it is possible, the four day school week saves money, improves test scores, and further improves the school as a whole. I believe that if we go to a four day school week that it would help the kids physically, mentally, and financially. The Edvocate plans to be one of key architects of this revival, as it continues to advocate for education reform, equity, and innovation. There are a few reasons why shorter school days could be beneficial. New Haven teachers in an unprecedented move allowed their teacher unions to take over the rewriting of their contracts. What are the Pros and Cons of 4-Day School Weeks? According to new research, the four-day week is a popular way for parents and students to spend quality time together. We can all agree that school feels like it lasts forever. It provides a realistic way for schools to remain open and also has added benefits beyond saving money. You are more likely to face poverty: those who drop out of school without any plans, stare at poverty in the face without the option of getting out of it. Also, since special populations fare poorly in this configuration, the costs of Traditional vs. If so, keep reading. 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. A switch to a 4-day schedule gives teachers more time to use teaching styles that are more effective. It involves increasing communication and various forms of interaction between people of different nations, ethnicities and cultures. When implemented, however, 1st graders do just as well as teens with the expanded schedule and 3-day weekend. 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 could be especially true for students who are struggling in a particular subject or for students who have a lot of homework. Better Employee Engagement A 4 day week can lead to happier and more committed employees. The districts which offer the 4-day work week receive more applications and more qualified applicants than the other school districts. In 2006, a study by Yarbrough and Gilman found that teachers working in a 5-day school schedule reported that they have a lot of wasted time. When the new school day was implemented, the system was relieved of the need to cram math, reading, and science into a short period of time, allowing for more time to be spent on subjects that students enjoy and teachers enjoy. Each community has unique needs which must be met, so there is the possibility of a 4-day week being useful to some districts, but not others. teams may need to practice, professional development sessions may convene, etc. Schools may even have to purchase lights for after school activities. Suffolk Public Schools went with a 7:25 am start time for their district and are saving almost $700,000 per year. Con: School districts across the U.S. are struggling to make ends meet. The University of New Mexico Newsroom: Research Study Yields Unexpected Conclusion About Longer School Years. Many schools are adding thirty minutes to both the beginning and end of the school day. The American Academy of Pediatrics states that children between the ages of 12 and 18 require at least eight hours of sleep per night, and in some cases as much as nine hours. In some situations, a single teacher may be responsible for over 100 students. Despite the fact that a few studies have recently been published, there is no significant research on the four-day school week. It is possible that children will be better prepared to concentrate when it matters because they will have more opportunities to move around and avoid being distracted by classroom rules. Revisiting Using Edtech for Bullying and Suicide Prevention. In comparison to 2007, the number of public schools that offer year-round programs has increased by 26%.