That is because larger districts offer more activities, manage more student events, and operate essentially 7 days per week during the school year anyway. If schools only had one day off per week, millions of dollars would be saved. Long school days, on the other hand, can present some challenges and, at the very least, unsatisfactory outcomes. Many school districts still operate Monday-Friday, even on a 4-day week. That additional day can also be used for staff development time instead of taking away a school day to do so. They may also experience irritability and fatigue. While small gains were made in reading, math and writing, there were no statistically significant results for children in the areas of receptive language, social skills or vocabulary. 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. Longer school days make no sense when there is so much else we could be doing with our time. Weekend sporting events make it easier to get students to them, especially when they are an away event, because the school day doesnt interfere on a Friday. That also makes scheduling problematic for many families. After analyzing Colorado schools operating on four-day school weeks, (Dam) reports that transportation costs can be reduced by 20%. Copyright (c) 2023 Matthew Lynch. . If the schools made 40 minute periods, the students could learn just as much as they would in a 50 minute period.One of the biggest benefits of this system is the financial savings. not just on the weekdays when students were out of school. In Colorado, 31 of the states 176 school districts are currently using a 4-day school week. Colorado, juvenile crime increased by 73% whenever a school changed their There tends to be less student exhaustion, which allows them to focus more on the learning process. Many school districts keep their administrative staff on school grounds all week long, though some allow half to take a Monday off, while the other half takes Friday off. One is that students might not have enough time to receive all the instruction they need in a particular subject. 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. Some schools even require students to have the belt line exposed at all times for fear of guns concealed under clothing. She is the author and co-author of 12 books and serves as a consultant in K-12 and higher education. When teachers operate under time constraints, in high-pressure situations, then they typically default to a lecture-based teaching style. This may not seem like a lot, but when you factor in homework and after-school activities, it can be a lot for a student to handle. Teachers report School administration, associates with principal office also went down. Most schools, when Year Round Schooling: Should it Be Implemented? There can be no one answer to this question because it is a matter of case by case. Well, at least initially. Colorado has nearly three-quarters of its school districts on a four-day schedule. Lets take a look at some proof. 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. Students usually go to school about 6 hours each day in most districts. Another potential drawback is that shorter school days could lead to more after-school activities, which could be a problem for working parents. Despite the fact that a few studies have recently been published, there is no significant research on the four-day school week. Shorter Classes: Depending on your school's summer schedule, you can complete a semester's worth of work in eight, five, or even three weeks. 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! (5) Most costs that were reduced were Operations and maintenance, heating and cooling, janitor supplies. Another is that shorter days could lead to shorter attention spans in classrooms. Next, parents would not have to get day care except on Fridays instead of the whole summer. This occurs because a large number of students are moving around the school campus. For the parents of younger students, an additional full day of daycare may need to be scheduled every week instead of a partial day. The list just gets longer. A potential decline in academic performance for vulnerable groups. If so, keep reading. 2. Shorter school days that start later in the day could alleviate this problem, promoting healthy habits and the many benefits that go with a solid sleep routine. 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. This leads to added costs that some families, living paycheck to paycheck, may not be able to afford. Suffolk Public Schools went with a 7:25 am start time for their district and are saving almost $700,000 per year. In return, the number of disciplinary measures can also be reduced. recess has numerous benefits, including assisting students in reducing aggression and improving learning. Accidents, absences, and absences all fall on the decline, and students academic performance rises. Defining Moments Are What Make Good School Leaders Great, Year-Round Schooling: How it Affects Students, Why you need a multi-tiered behavioral support approach, Understanding Strategy and Strategic Leadership, Teaching & Learning Strategies, Concepts, and Terms That Every Teacher Must Know: Letters DIA-DIG, First-Year Teachers: 4 Reasons You Need a Mentor Right Now, 18 Reasons the U.S. Education System is Failing, The Top 5 Unexpected Benefits of Early Childhood Education. four-day week across 16 school districts. 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. 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. Potential for juvenile crime to increase. According to the findings, relocating some math classes to the morning and other subjects, such as English, to the afternoon might result in an increase in students GPAs and test outcomes. About 20% of the states school districts incorporate a 4-day schedule of some kind. A potential decline in academic performance for vulnerable groups. According to the majority of the researchers, the inconclusive results do not imply that decisions to change schedules should be made based on test scores. Traditional vs. Cutting that by 20% means a savings of $4 billion, if implemented nationwide. If so, keep reading. Public school everything for schoolchildren and students. Extending the school year may help make teaching a full-time, more lucrative profession for educators if year-round schools can cut costs through . The Advantages and Disadvantages of Extended School Days Advantage: More time to devote to learning. There is no one answer to this question as it can depend on individual circumstances. 2. They found out that seven school districts saved money under the new Staying at school for the majority of the day isn't allowing me . Students will have extra time outside of school to devote to other essential elements of their life as a result of this change. You wont have to run the electricity or pay for buses. 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. In 1095or in 1905, depending on your sourcesRoberto Nevelis of Venice, Italy, is often credited with inventing the concept of homework. Spread the loveApplying for admission to professional and graduate schools is no less competitive than college/undergraduate admissions. Also, there have been studies that found that special populations do not thrive under this configuration. Many of these districts are small and rural, such as Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Wyoming. The most popular is a 32-hour work week, which means people work 8 hours per day, 4 hours in a week. Here are some additional key points to think about when looking at the pros and cons of a 4-day school week. Getting to school on-time or making it out for the bus is a constant battle. Because of this, school districts dont have a hard The disadvantage is that more time does not equate to more learning. It may reduce the number of discipline referrals for students. It takes about 4-years for schools to get these students back on track academically. And the school districts in the state have stable student achievement levels on their standardized tests. They can explore and discover various hobbies and interests, maintain their stress levels and get more sleep. Students already feel like their school day is too long. 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. The school day could be shortened to give children and teenagers more time for movement, brain breaks, and other activities that have been shown to increase learning outcomes. When a school opts to go with an early start time, then students are spending less time sitting in traffic as they head to class. In many US school districts, the first class begins 1-2 hours after most parents need to be at work. Teachers have more time to prepare lessons and collaborate during the day. In the United States, only five states require recess in elementary schools, with Texas not one of them. Overall, a shorter school schedule resulted in a 7% increase in math scores and a 3% gain in reading. There are potential savings to food programs and other important areas of infrastructure because the school district is closed 1 additional day each week. Spread the loveAre you looking for ways to teach students to take care of their personal property? The Agrarian calendar is rooted in the past. So it is illogical to think that a four day week will help other grade levels. Children would get up early and help with chores, go to school and then help out on the farm until sundown. Con: A lengthened school day may impede upon extracurricular activities, especially in secondary education. More teaching: Covid-19 has resulted in a lot of disruption in teaching. To avoid this issue, many school districts have considered shifting to a 4-day school week. Better Employee Engagement A 4 day week can lead to happier and more committed employees. 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. When properly implemented, extended learning time programs have the potential to increase students academic progress as well as their social and emotional development. It involves increasing communication and various forms of interaction between people of different nations, ethnicities and cultures. Although the final outcome was beneficial the origins of the extended day was not welcomed. She studies hard, does her research and assignments, and goes to class every single day. The four-day arrangement gives opportunity for students to work an extra day at an after-school job, participate in volunteer activities, or pursue further educational goals by taking advantage of the extra day. Spread the loveTo be twice-exceptional is to be exceptionally gifted in some academic aspects while being below average compared to peers in other aspects. Our individualized learning setup at the Tenney School allows us to offer more instruction in a shorter amount of time. Long school days can cause eating problems for students who don't eat at school, or who use up all their energy while learning. There are some drawbacks to shorter school days, as well. Increases student attendance. Spread the loveEducation is a collaborative process, as it takes many stakeholders working in unison to help students succeed academically. In the United States, about 50% of all companies are either offering or thinking about offering a 4-day workweek for their workers. Since the approach to curriculum development and pedagogical style varies by state and district, data must be disaggregated to evaluate specific impact. Instead, an investment should be made in improving teaching strategies and new technology that could transform the learning process. How To Switch School Districts Without Moving? 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. Programs like student tutoring or sports, teacher/parent meetings, staff development, and building maintenance still happen on the fifth day, which negates many of the cost-savings opportunities that the 4-day schedule appears to offer. A new educational model could be implemented: 9-to-5 schools. These crimes occurred all during the week, Over the course of their first year on this new schedule, they reported that the frequency of discipline referrals for their students dropped by 73%. If no other elements are in place, it is highly unlikely that extending the school day would result in increased student learning. over 1 million dollars on utilities, busing, and labor costs. 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. Longer school days may lead to attention deficit and fatigue, making the extra class time ineffective. Some families find that aligning the school day with typical parent work schedules is a family-friendly approach. Spread the loveThe International Baccalaureate Program is a very intensive pre-college program in which when students get involved, they get college credit. A change in schedule is an adjustment for school officials, students and families. The very thought of sending kids to school year-round makes some parents cringe. It may eliminate common holidays, such as Memorial Day or Labor Day, from the schedule. Underperforming schools and the lagging performance of U.S. students in comparison to other countries is a concern. Decreased need to re-teach skills after long vacations, allowing teachers to use classroom time more efficiently. During recess, limit the number of games or activities that students can participate in. Kids already spend a very long time each week in the school and away from their family. The Chattooga County School District in Georgia shifted to a 4-day school week. They were located in 7 western states in the U.S. and all but 13 of them identified themselves as being a rural school district. Who Sang For Troy In High School Musical? Such as emotional and behavioral problems, violence, depression, alcohol use, impaired cognitive function, etc. When implemented, however, 1st graders do just as well as teens with the expanded schedule and 3-day weekend. Advantage: More time for other subjects. Some school districts shifted to a 4-day week not because of financial needs, but others did so to make it easier to schedule sporting events or after-school activities. An eight-hour day is pretty undesirable for elementary-aged kids. They dont usually run wild on the last day of school, instead working, making phone calls, or spending time with family. Students in the third through sixth grades have improved their ACT scores, according to studies. On the plus side, employees love it. Spread the loveAfrican Africans have a long history of being mistreated in the United States, starting with slavery. The four-day week did not appear to affect. Finally, teachers and students would have better relationships as they spend more time together instead of being rushed. 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Younger people shouldn't have to work as long as some adults do. Spread the loveBuilding a culturally responsive classroom is hard. It might help school districts save money. Spread the loveFor the past few decades, our countrys educational system has seen both struggle and tremendous change. Here are a few: 1. that the flexibility of the 4-day work week helps them get more done. By 2013, a dramatic improvement in scores was credited to the extended learning time. 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. Some are even cutting arts programs or shortening the school week to balance the budget. Dr. Kelly Meier earned her doctorate from Minnesota State Mankato in Educational Leadership. Games occur in the evening, often on the weekend. These school districts are typically in isolated regions, are rural, and have a student body that is fewer than 500 students. From the moment you walk into the second you walk out. 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. Money is saved on that day because they don't have to run lights, heater or AC. There are numerous advantages and disadvantages to each. Over the last century, humans have acquired a staggering amount of knowledge and understanding. 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. 1. The Cons of Longer School Days. 3. The final class ends 1-2 hours before the work day ends for most parents. According to him, providing education to all would be beneficial to society. Employment opportunities with a 3-day weekend are increasing. The shorter the school day, the better? 6. A three-day weekend allows for extra leisure time, as well as a reduction in commute and energy usage. In Peetz Colorado a debate is going on four a four day school week. Working a couple of hours after school gains experience and disposable income. Spread the loveAre you looking for ways to teach students appropriate mealtime manners? The 180-day calendar is shorter than that of other industrialized countries, and some schools even find ways to shave days even further. More rest then equates to dealing with less stress over the course of a school year. Along with giving kids more time to concentrate on critical activities, a shortened school day would also provide pupils with more opportunity to relax. To compare, a regular semester generally lasts 16-18 weeks. It almost forces some families into taking their vacation time from work during these holidays to accommodate the needs of their children. Shorter class durations allow students to enroll in a variety of courses. Most students in the four-day districts80 percent of high school students and 90 percent of elementary studentsspent their "off day" at home. Over the next three years, the school district was able to save 2% on their overall costs each year, for a total of $200,000. 5. Their students were more focused because they were more rested, which equated to fewer classroom disruptions. The kids groan, complain about getting out of bed, and struggle to get through the morning routine. As a result, learning is less effective due to budget constraints. One of the primary motivations for adopting the four-day week is financial savings for the school district. remediating them begin to take a bite out of the budget. 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 are tired and cranky by the end of the day. 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 of these schools are already operating on an alternative schedule because that is what works best for their community. 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. But the extra money hasn't gone into teachers' salaries, which have dropped on average from . The Pros and Cons to Longer School Days. Too Early to Tell According to Adam Urbanski, president of the Rochester Teachers Association, there is no guarantee that popularity will be replicated in other schools. In this article, we will examine this question in depth. Con: Not all students need one-on-one assistance, and some may even experience boredom or burnout from the extended school day. Fuel, oil, salaries, and supervisory costs can be, A lot of parents are shaking their heads at the consideration of a four-day school week, and a longer school day. Ages. It is a program for mostly rural and small school districts. Theyre from moments we remember having fun, whether that was in the classroom, the playground, or the athletics field. To be competitive in a global market, students need to be exposed to a wide variety of subject matter. Most students, especially younger ones, find that the traditional school schedule is already too long. Less time in school could allow students the freedom to discover other interests that are fulfilling and stimulating. 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. 5. The driving force behind the proposal to lengthen the school day is the assertion that more instructional time would yield greater academic gains. The districts which offer the 4-day work week receive more applications and more qualified applicants than the other school districts. Students are still getting the same amount of instruction in terms of minutes, just in a shorter number of days. More time to focus on mental health In the typical K-12 schooling model, mental health education is too often shunted aside. 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. Pros and Cons of a Shorter Workweek. 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. flexibility to teachers schedules and as a result, makes their jobs more All rights reserved. How does it impact your success? The disadvantage is that more time does not equate to more learning. The standard requirement for schools is 180 days or an average range of 990-1080 hours. Some districts take just one week off at Christmas instead of two weeks because of these conflicts. Does precision really make a program successful? There have been several studies that reported the 4-day school week had positive effects on students math and reading scores. 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. When larger school districts attempt this kind of schedule, they find few, if any, benefits coming from their actions. It may reduce the number of discipline referrals for students. One is that it would likely mean that teachers would have to teach more classes, which could lead to burnout. 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. Having students to fit 5 days' worth of classroom time into 4 days would make for a tiring schedule, where many of the younger school children would find it very difficult to focus on their study for such long periods. After-school jobs are a common way for teens to make money. Some schools do not allow recess to be used as punishment, while others may do so on a case-by-case basis. Spread the loveTeachers need to realize that at home, in their neighborhoods, and in school, many students face difficulties that can interfere with learning. Increases student attendance. Staff recruitment is easier with the 4-day school week for school districts. Budgetary requirements are an important part of a longer school days pros and cons list. Imagine a school year that gave the students one week off after every quarter and every Friday off. 2. Read the Full Transcript Judy Woodruff: For many American students and. There are a few potential drawbacks to shorter school days. 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. Advantage: More time to devote to learning. The trade-off for a shorter week is a longer school day. Students with less sleep have difficulty paying attention in class and are likely to have lower grades. Con: A lengthened school day may impede upon extracurricular activities, especially in secondary education. Changing the times could increase attendance by 1%, which could bring in $40 million more. Why shorter school days are better for teachers? Con: A longitudinal study in New Mexico looked at the performance difference in K-3 students from seven different school districts. It creates a long school day for students. Harvest times were set in the old way and still are when most school calendars are set up, when the United States was a farm country. Pros and cons of a four day working week. Teachers would be required to reimagine their curriculum and would need extra time to develop a curriculum to fit an expanded day. There is a variety of emotional and behavioral problems, depression, alcohol use, and impaired cognitive function that can contribute to this. Not only would this give everyone a 3-day weekend to enjoy, it would also limit the pressure on students and teachers to have a diversified learning experience in a compressed time period. 3. 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. 4. The requirements for total education time do not change just because a school district goes to a 4-day school week. Dr. Meier is is a regular contributor for The Equity Network and has worked in education for more than 30 years. Good for working parents: This would lead to less wraparound care for working . Shorter, intense courses in which a semesters worth of content is delivered at an expedited rate were deemed to be more successful by students in a recent study by academics at the University of Texas at Austin. Students in a 4-day school week are packing 180 days into a condensed 145-day schedule. 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. What are the pros and cons of shorter school week? Third, shorter days could reduce the amount of time that students spend on the bus or in the car, which would save money and reduce pollution. As a result, students dont have to miss school to help out. Shortening the school day by even an hour or two can allow a district to save dramatically on its utility costs. If a student lives an hour outside of town and have an 8am school bell to meet, then theyre on the bus at 7am.