20 Major Pros and Cons of a 4 Day School Week - BrandonGaille The shorter the school day, the better? Many school Teachers would be required to reimagine their curriculum and would need extra time to develop a curriculum to fit an expanded day. Students that sit in lecture classrooms retain 10% or less of the information that is presented to them. Pros & Cons of Longer School Lunches | livestrong recess has numerous benefits, including assisting students in reducing aggression and improving learning. Imagine a school year that gave the students one week off after every quarter and every Friday off. Con: School districts across the U.S. are struggling to make ends meet. The basic assumption of a 4 day work week is fulfilling the duties in a shorter amount of time, instead of the usual five-day workweek and receiving the same pay. Wildbit, a company based in the US, a portion of whose workforce works remotely, tested the 4-day week to see whether the shorter working hours will affect employee productivity. In Colorado, 31 of the states 176 school districts are currently using a 4-day school week. Cutting that by 20% means a savings of $4 billion, if implemented nationwide. Black Boys in Crisis: Why Arent They Reading? Colorado has nearly three-quarters of its school districts on a four-day schedule. The Pros and Cons to Longer School Days The Pros and Cons of a 4-Day Week for Employers & Employees The program not only saves districts money, but it also allows students to spend more time with their families. Shorter school days should be used in the United States education system since they have several advantages. The ability to offer a 3-day weekend, every weekend, is a powerful motivator for school districts that are recruiting for quality employees. Those human beings that seem larger than life and almost achieve Godlike status. There is no one answer to this question as it can depend on individual circumstances. Arguments For and Against Longer School Years - Poynter By 2013, a dramatic improvement in scores was credited to the extended learning time. 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. While state requirements vary on the number of instructional days and hours in the year, the majority of states set the school year at 180 days (30 states). Obesity, anxiety and stress, as well as lower grades, can all be attributed to a lack of sleep, according to the National Sleep Foundation. 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. Those changes happen because students who are active participants in their learning have more fun in school. 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. Spread the loveBuilding a culturally responsive classroom is hard. Ages. 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. Would a later school schedule be beneficial? remediating them begin to take a bite out of the budget. School districts save money. 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. What are the Pros and Cons of 4-Day School Weeks? Do students learn better in shorter classes? Because of this, school districts dont have a hard Good for working parents: This would lead to less wraparound care for working . A potential decline in academic performance for vulnerable groups. 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. Shorter work weeks can improve employment productivity and provide families with more meaningful time together. According to ASCD, many disciplinary issues that students face come from scheduled transitions. Arlene Ackerman says she and her students don't have the strength to teach or learn near the end of the school day. Pros and Cons of Year-Round School - American University 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. Long school days, on the other hand, can present some challenges and, at the very least, unsatisfactory outcomes. School days shorter? - The STEAM Press With the 4-day schedule, another 1.5 hours is added to their school day, every day. There are some drawbacks to shorter school days, as well. Sara Blackwell teaches Employment Law at University of South Florida in Tampa and she is a published author. Reasons Why the School Day Should Be Shorter - Synonym Children would get up early and help with chores, go to school and then help out on the farm until sundown. 6 Benefits of Shorter School Days | Should There Be a Change? - ID Tech Practices for sports are still held on the fifth day, as are teacher conferences, staff development opportunities, and required janitorial work. Which one is the best? Long school days can cause eating problems for students who don't eat at school, or who use up all their energy while learning. After analyzing Colorado schools operating on four-day school weeks, (Dam) reports that transportation costs can be reduced by 20%. Thats two hours of lost time for farm chores, homework, or other responsibilities that rural families have more often than urban or suburban families. Many school districts still operate Monday-Friday, even on a 4-day week. Shorter class durations allow students to enroll in a variety of courses. Additionally student involvement and safety would suffer. When Friday rolls around each week during the school year, many parents face the same situation. Some educators believe that extending the school day until 5:00 p.m. is the answer. 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. Public school everything for schoolchildren and students. How Would Later School Start Times Affect Sleep? Other concerns with early school start times and the resulting insufficient sleep include: Increased likelihood for participating in risk-taking behaviors, such as bullying and fighting. There tends to be less student exhaustion, which allows them to focus more on the learning process. "I get really tired throughout the day and I would love shorter school hours." She is the author and co-author of 12 books and serves as a consultant in K-12 and higher education. 4 Day School Week? What to Know | 2023 4 Test Prep - Teacher Certification Although families benefit from the 3-day weekend and those scheduling benefits, the non-traditional time off given to students can offset some of that savings. Those that had implemented the alternative scheduling found that student attendance could rise by more than 20. 6-7. Your email address will not be published. Suffolk Public Schools went with a 7:25 am start time for their district and are saving almost $700,000 per year. The evaluated skills include science, math, and reading. With the long break of summer, many people prefer the short breaks of year round schools. 1. When looking at the benefits of a longer school year, the opportunity for expanding subject matter and the individualized needs of students are factors. That also makes scheduling problematic for many families. 2. It is possible to have a negative impact on some laboratory classes by reducing the number of minutes in class each day. It provides an extra day for actual rest to occur when it may be needed without compromising the remainder of the family schedule. A new educational model could be implemented: 9-to-5 schools. They may also experience irritability and fatigue. 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. The 180-day calendar is shorter than that of other industrialized countries, and some schools even find ways to shave days even further. 12 Pros and Cons of a 4 Day School Week (2023) Those against extended lunches might argue . When properly implemented, extended learning time programs have the potential to increase students academic progress as well as their social and emotional development. Along with giving kids more time to concentrate on critical activities, a shortened school day would also provide pupils with more opportunity to relax. 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. This means students in a district with this alternative schedule get out later for the holidays than students on the traditional Monday-Friday schedule. ", 21 Payday Loan Industry Statistics, Trends & Analysis, 100 Best Side Hustles for Teens to Make Money, 10 Proven Psychological Pricing Strategies with Examples, 100 Office Etiquette Rules You Need to Know, 50 Best Business Letter Closings of All-Time. Granby School District in Colorado shifted to a 4-day schedule for their 1,100 students. Shorter School Days Are the Way - The Oarsman Staying at school for the majority of the day isn't allowing me . 1. As a result, learning is less effective due to budget constraints. The capital, insurance, maintenance, and administrative costs remain relatively constant. Despite these difficulties, many disabled students go on to lead successful and fulfilling lives. Administrative staff are required to be on-site, sports When students are too tired or mentally exhausted to concentrate at the end of the day, the last hour becomes meaningless. 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. These are more reasons CHS should move to a four day school week. 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. Four Day School Week: The Pros And Cons - HonorsGradU 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. A longer school day would involve substantial funding for teacher salaries and facility maintenance. (Solution). 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. Spread the loveThis term refers to the grouping of students by mental capability, aptitude, or hobbies. That additional day can also be used for staff development time instead of taking away a school day to do so. Some districts have seen their disciplinary issues decline by more than 70% in the first two years of implementing a 4-day schedule. districts think they will save tons of money by cutting operational costs on Their students were more focused because they were more rested, which equated to fewer classroom disruptions. Money is saved on that day because they don't have to run lights, heater or AC. Pros And Cons Of A Four-Day School Week - The Odyssey Online Spread the loveApplying for admission to professional and graduate schools is no less competitive than college/undergraduate admissions. The Pros and Cons of Year-Round Schools - Scholastic Teachers report Should school hours be shorter? Schools are able to switch to a four-day week by simply increasing the length of their school day. Kuss Middle School in Fall River, Mass., has risen from a Level 5 to a Level 1 after implementing extended learning time. The Chattooga County School District in Georgia shifted to a 4-day school week. The Advantages and Disadvantages of Extended School Days Advantage: More time to devote to learning. It was Mann who founded the first public school in the United States and is widely regarded as the Father of the Public School System. What are some arguments for ending school at 8 hours? Changing school start times will increase attendance and money brought in. 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. After-school activities begin at that point, which means some students dont make it back home until 8pm that night. There are some drawbacks to shorter school days, as well. 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. 5. 19 Big Advantages and Disadvantages of the 4 Day School Week Many schools are, in fact, offering year-round services now to accommodate the changing needs of their communities. Budgetary requirements are an important part of a longer school days pros and cons list. Some students and parents have been advocating for shorter school days, and there is some evidence to suggest that shorter days could be beneficial. 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. It almost forces some families into taking their vacation time from work during these holidays to accommodate the needs of their children. The Advantages and Disadvantages of Extended School Days. One issue that schools face today is what kind of school schedule there should be throughout the year. It matches the class schedule to a parent's work schedule. Easier to recruit employees. In return, the number of disciplinary measures can also be reduced. 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. The Pros and Cons of a 4 Day Work Week - TimeCamp Then ask the superintendent of the school district to consider year round school with only four days per week.First, students would not forget what they learned over the long summer. Data is an important variable if youre considering the longer school days pros and cons list. The reason why school districts are going to a 4 day school week is to save money and the states that you see switching to a 4 days are states that have economic problems such as Oklahoma. In general, ELT has received positive feedback; however, some schools have had more difficult transitions than others. SHORTER SCHOOL DAYS Science Leadership Academy @ Center City 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. But slowly over the nation, schools are switching to a four day school week. These schools save all this money from just switching to a shorter week. It can help teachers and students better manage the process of learning. 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. Spread the loveThe Talent Search Initiative has as its aim; the identification of high-performing students by organizing specific tests. Most parents have employment which requires them to be present for 8 hours per day, 5 days per week. 2. There are numerous advantages and disadvantages to each. The Advantages and Disadvantages Of Four-Day Work Week - The Adecco Group Cons of the 4-Day School Week. Delaying school start times is associated with a decrease in bedtimes and an increase in sleep for every minute the school day is delayed. Why did they switch to 4-day school weeks? Decreased need to re-teach skills after long vacations, allowing teachers to use classroom time more efficiently. The National School Board Association estimates that approximately 135,000 guns are brought to America's 85,000 public schools each day. Working a couple of hours after school gains experience and disposable income. That can make it difficult for some students to pay attention to the information being provided. 2. Older students can spend time engaging in resum-building public service or paid work. There can be no one answer to this question because it is a matter of case by case. Increasing the length of school days may result in attention deficit and exhaustion, rendering the additional class time unproductive. Students spend less time on the bus. A poll where 2,700 random people were polled about 67% favoured a 4 day school week(university of Scranton). This is a big con for me, as sacrificing the futures of our most vulnerable students is not worth the trivial benefits of 4-day school weeks. Over the course of a 2-year period on this alternative schedule, they reported up to a 20% increase in student attendance. What are the pros and cons of shorter school week? This schedule works much better for parents, who often have that working schedule themselves. Dr. Kelly Meier earned her doctorate from Minnesota State Mankato in Educational Leadership. not just on the weekdays when students were out of school. Very Costly. The Chattooga County School District in Georgia shifted to a 4-day school week. Companies have been experimenting with shorter work days for at least a decade and, despite announcements that the 40-hour week is dead, there have been mixed results from the experiments. School administration, associates with principal office also went down. Class runs Monday- Thursday with an added 40-60 minutes each day to compensate for the lost time by not having the schools run on Fridays. 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. Opportunity to relax and really immerse yourself in the experience. Special correspondent Lisa Stark of Education Week reports on the pros and cons for students, families and schools. It is also good for teachers and the whole school. 18 Major Advantages and Disadvantages of the Payback Period, 20 Advantages and Disadvantages of Leasing a Car, 19 Advantages and Disadvantages of Debt Financing, 24 Key Advantages and Disadvantages of a C Corporation, 16 Biggest Advantages and Disadvantages of Mediation, 18 Advantages and Disadvantages of a Gated Community, 17 Big Advantages and Disadvantages of Focus Groups, 17 Key Advantages and Disadvantages of Corporate Bonds, 19 Major Advantages and Disadvantages of Annuities, 17 Biggest Advantages and Disadvantages of Advertising. According to him, providing education to all would be beneficial to society. teams may need to practice, professional development sessions may convene, etc. Shifting to this schedule does have certain disadvantages, especially for working parents. As with any innovation, shorter workweeks have advantages and disadvantages. 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. 1. Finally, teachers and students would have better relationships as they spend more time together instead of being rushed. Students feel less pressure because they have more time to study at their own pace at home, especially in the later grades. Schools would also have to change their bus transportation systems which are designed to run as efficiently and inexpensively as possible. Schools are facing many issues today. Childrens schooldays should be around 8 hours long, and they should be school-aged all year. You wont have to run the electricity or pay for buses. Pros Vs. Cons of Extended School Days - The Classroom 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. Schools benefit from shorter school day - Chapin Chronicle Students are tired and cranky by the end of the day. Most schools, when Year Round Schooling: Should it Be Implemented? 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. Finally, shorter school days could result in less time for extracurricular activities, which could have a negative impact on student morale. Approximately 1,800 schools in the U.S. have extended learning hours, but there are many pros and cons of extended school days. More rest then equates to dealing with less stress over the course of a school year. 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. 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. Pro: An extended school day provides more flexibility for parents, eliminating the need for after-school care. Other Debates. List of the Advantages of 4-Day School Weeks 1. school schedules from 5 to 4 days. It starts too early, ends too late, and occurs far too often. In the United States, only five states require recess in elementary schools, with Texas not one of them. Delaying school start times has been shown to have positive outcomes for students and families in overwhelming scientific research. The majority of these are found in the western United States, including Oregon, Montana, Idaho, Colorado, and Oklahoma, Thompson said. 10 Noteworthy Benefits of a Shorter School Day - Tenney School The list just gets longer. As a result, kids will be less worried about time management and will be less likely to fall behind on such rewarding activities. If so, keep reading. School districts save money. Over the last century, humans have acquired a staggering amount of knowledge and understanding. They balk at the idea of kids attending schools with no summer break. Adds flexibility to teacher's schedules. Many say that the four day school week is good for students. Second, it would allow students to get more sleep, which is important for their health and well-being. In this article, we will examine this question in depth. Employment opportunities with a 3-day weekend are increasing. Staff recruitment is easier with the 4-day school week for school districts. Keeping schools open five days a week is not financially feasible. They can supervise their children at the bus stop in rural districts as well. Why Should School Days Be Longer? (Best solution) It would also be beneficial to reduce the week in order to promote activity participation. 1. Should schools go to a 4 day school week instead of 5 days? disabled students may also find it difficult to participate in extracurricular activities and socialise with their peers. In Overall, there are pros and cons to shorter school days. I say this because we would have to start. For non year-round schools the dropout rate is 5%, which is more than all year-round schools. 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