That is because larger districts offer more activities, manage more student events, and operate essentially 7 days per week during the school year anyway. There is a variety of emotional and behavioral problems, depression, alcohol use, and impaired cognitive function that can contribute to this. Some schools even require students to have the belt line exposed at all times for fear of guns concealed under clothing. 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. We must ensure that every child has the opportunity to learn by improving the effectiveness of our schools and ensuring that all children have access to them. Advantage: More time for other subjects. 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. Although sleep is a huge and major part, it is not the only part. Savings on school buses and long-term building wear and tear have also been reported. What they discovered was unexpected. Sports schedules are easier to manage. In general, ELT has received positive feedback; however, some schools have had more difficult transitions than others. When implemented, however, 1st graders do just as well as teens with the expanded schedule and 3-day weekend. She is the author and co-author of 12 books and serves as a consultant in K-12 and higher education. Data is an important variable if youre considering the longer school days pros and cons list. Better sleep: Delayed start time could help teens sleep during . 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. Over the course of a 2-year period on this alternative schedule, they reported up to a 20% increase in student attendance. Taking only one class is practically a . These are more reasons CHS should move to a four day school week. recess has numerous benefits, including assisting students in reducing aggression and improving learning. It can help teachers and students better manage the process of learning. Adds flexibility to teachers schedules. Since students receive dedicated 1:1 teaching for all core subjects, they don't need to bother spending time on topics that aren't on their instructional level. 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. 5. In comparison to 2007, the number of public schools that offer year-round programs has increased by 26%. 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. Delaying school start times is associated with a decrease in bedtimes and an increase in sleep for every minute the school day is delayed. 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. If no other elements are in place, it is highly unlikely that extending the school day would result in increased student learning. Well, at least initially. You wont have to run the electricity or pay for buses. Pros and Cons of a Shorter Workweek. Most parents work a 5-day schedule and struggle to adapt to a 4-day school schedule. 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. With the long break of summer, many people prefer the short breaks of year round schools. They need a shorter school day so they can have more time to relax and play. Keeping schools open five days a week is not financially feasible. 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. 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. But just because the final bell rang doesnt mean that youre done. 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. 2. Spread the loveThe International Baccalaureate Program is a very intensive pre-college program in which when students get involved, they get college credit. Second, it would allow students to get more sleep, which is important for their health and well-being. For others, perhaps not. Teachers in Seattle are deciding how to use an additional 20 minutes on top of the usual school day. 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. However, these basics vary, depending on a company's policy. The Peach County School District in Georgia saw that their graduation rates slowly increased year after year when they switched to a 4-day school week. 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. Do students learn better in shorter classes? Finally, some parents worry that shorter days could mean that their children would have less . Teachers will have more leisure time to spend with their family as a result of the reduced school days. Schools may even have to purchase lights for after school activities. And the school districts in the state have stable student achievement levels on their standardized tests. Schools can save up to 20% on some budget-line expenses with a 4-day week. Students that sit in lecture classrooms retain 10% or less of the information that is presented to them. It is a program for mostly rural and small school districts. 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%. It was suggested that a combination of four-week summer holidays and a school day finishing at 4:30pm would lead to improvements in pupil attainment. Increasing the length of school days may result in attention deficit and exhaustion, making the additional class time inefficient. There are a few potential drawbacks to shorter school days. Dr. Kelly S. Meier - Updated May 03, 2019, Copyright 2023 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Education, Explore state by state cost analysis of US colleges in an interactive article, NavajoCode: Unbiased Longer School Days Pros and Cons. Easier to recruit employees. Obesity, anxiety and stress, as well as lower grades, can all be attributed to a lack of sleep, according to the National Sleep Foundation. 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. It also means that they would have more time to mark the voluminous quantity of homework that they have to complete every night. From Disabled and $500k in Debt to a Pro Blogger with 5 Million Monthly Visitors, 20 Major Pros and Cons of a 4 Day School Week, 21 Best SMART Goals Examples for Teachers and Educators, "From Disabled and $500k in Debt to a Pro Blogger with 5 Million Monthly Visitors. Oklahoma Department of Education examined the economic effect of going to a 1. More time to focus on mental health In the typical K-12 schooling model, mental health education is too often shunted aside. What are the pros and cons for students, teachers and school boards? It would also be beneficial to reduce the week in order to promote activity participation. Con: School districts across the U.S. are struggling to make ends meet. Games occur in the evening, often on the weekend. 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. 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. According to him, providing education to all would be beneficial to society. In 1095or in 1905, depending on your sourcesRoberto Nevelis of Venice, Italy, is often credited with inventing the concept of homework. A new educational model could be implemented: 9-to-5 schools. Increase Engagement and Productivity. Finally, teachers and students would have better relationships as they spend more time together instead of being rushed. They dont usually run wild on the last day of school, instead working, making phone calls, or spending time with family. Spread the loveAre you looking for strategies to encourage students to take care of their personal property? That can make it difficult for some students to pay attention to the information being provided. four-day week across 16 school districts. It is important to consider all of the factors before making a decision. 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. When I was a teacher, many moons ago, this was a fringe schooling schedule only practiced by rural school districts. To avoid this issue, many school districts have considered shifting to a 4-day school week. When Friday rolls around each week during the school year, many parents face the same situation. The list just gets longer. Lets face it our best school memories arent from tests or pop quizzes. Underperforming schools and the lagging performance of U.S. students in comparison to other countries is a concern. Teachers are frequently overworked and required to perform tasks that are outside their job description. Pros and cons of a four day working week. Good for working parents: This would lead to less wraparound care for working . 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. Parents can drop-off their kids in the morning, then pick them up in the afternoon, without worrying about work. What we envisage may not be the most straightforward or the most conventional ideas. Despite the fact that a few studies have recently been published, there is no significant research on the four-day school week. After-school jobs are a common way for teens to make money. There are potential savings to food programs and other important areas of infrastructure because the school district is closed 1 additional day each week. teams may need to practice, professional development sessions may convene, etc. Massachusetts, a pioneer in extended learning time (ELT), has made significant progress in this field. It also means that certain holiday vacations, such as Thanksgiving, are extended to a full week, and that can be a scheduling concern for many families. Students feel less pressure because they have more time to study at their own pace at home, especially in the later grades. The majority of these are found in the western United States, including Oregon, Montana, Idaho, Colorado, and Oklahoma, Thompson said. The Chattooga County School District in Georgia shifted to a 4-day school week. The Massachusetts Expanded Learning Time Initiative has already benefited 19 schools and over 10,000 students. We were able to build a strong community and school consensus as a result of our programs success. For the Cove School District in Eastern Oregon, the school day begins at 8am and doesnt end until 4pm. Pro: An extended school day provides more flexibility for parents, eliminating the need for after-school care. Many of these districts are small and rural, such as Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Wyoming. They do have a full day free for a job in some instances, but trying to find work on the weekends only, especially in a rural community, is never a guarantee unless you dont mind working on a farm, that is. Too Early to Tell Cons of a Longer School Day Does Not Ensure Higher Achievement Some studies have been done that show that longer instruction time can improve achievement, but those results depend on things like classroom environment, quality of instruction, student prior knowledge and ability. Another is that shorter days could lead to shorter attention spans in classrooms. 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. Spread the loveEducation is a collaborative process, as it takes many stakeholders working in unison to help students succeed academically. Here are a few: 1. Less time in school could allow students the freedom to discover other interests that are fulfilling and stimulating. One way to address these issues is to shift the traditional school schedule into a 4-day week. Approximately 1,800 schools in the U.S. have extended learning hours, but there are many pros and cons of extended school days. In Peetz Colorado a debate is going on four a four day school week. 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. It is critical to avoid producing a longer school day and instead produce a healthier, more balanced, and more engaging one. Because of this, school districts dont have a hard So what are the pros and cons of 4-day school weeks? A small portion of the districts cash is saved, but not as much as intangibles. The school districts may operate classes Monday-Thursday on a 4-day week (or Tuesday-Friday in some instances), but they are still operational from an administrative standpoint on the off-day. After 12 hours of being away from home, students struggle to find time to study during the 4-day school week. Shortening the school day can give kids and teens more time for movement, brain breaks, and other activities that have been shown to improve learning outcomes, among other benefits.. With more room to move and less worry about following the rules in class, kids can be better equipped to focus when needed. The four-day week, according to the research, is far more cost-effective than the traditional five-day week. Shorter school days should be used in the United States education system since they have several advantages. Students in a 4-day school week are packing 180 days into a condensed 145-day schedule. The capital, insurance, maintenance, and administrative costs remain relatively constant. . For non year-round schools the dropout rate is 5%, which is more than all year-round schools. The shorter the school day, the better? Imagine a school year that gave the students one week off after every quarter and every Friday off. In 2009, there were 3,000 schools in the United States operating on a year-round basis. Year round schools, can actually benefit students in the long run. What are the Pros and Cons of 4-Day School Weeks? There are some drawbacks to shorter school days, as well. Custer School District, in rural South Dakota, believed they could save $70,000 with a 4-day school week. Financial problems is was most of a four day school week is about. Students spend less time on the bus. Students can adjust to the new schedule. After analyzing Colorado schools operating on four-day school weeks, (Dam) reports that transportation costs can be reduced by 20%. Shortening the school day by even an hour or two can allow a district to save dramatically on its utility costs. The Advantages and Disadvantages of Extended School Days Advantage: More time to devote to learning. In the United States, only five states require recess in elementary schools, with Texas not one of them. 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. Extending the school day is a hot topic for educational policy making bodies. 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. time attracting qualified applicants. 3. Why should school weeks be shorter? 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. 2. Some students and parents have been advocating for shorter school days, and there is some evidence to suggest that shorter days could be beneficial. Money is saved on that day because they don't have to run lights, heater or AC. This is one reason school districts use to implement dress codes. The pros and cons of a 4-day school week offer many challenges. Florida's inflation-adjusted education spending per student has roughly doubled in the last 30 years -- to $7,473 in 2000-01. Some families find that aligning the school day with typical parent work schedules is a family-friendly approach. Accidents, absences, and absences all fall on the decline, and students academic performance rises. Longer school days make no sense when there is so much else we could be doing with our time. not just on the weekdays when students were out of school. manageable in a myriad of ways. They can supervise their children at the bus stop in rural districts as well. 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. It provides a realistic way for schools to remain open and also has added benefits beyond saving money. The length of the school day in China varies from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. With a shortened school day, the amount of instructional time would be reduced. 3. If something goes wrong . Research has shown that in this configuration, students who are low-income, minority, or special needs dont fare too well academically. ", 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. There is no one answer to this question as every disabled students experience is unique. Shorter work weeks can improve employment productivity and provide families with more meaningful time together. However, disabled students often face additional challenges in accessing education and achieving academic success. 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. Spread the loveAre you looking for ways to teach students to take care of their personal property? Schools across the country offer extended learning hours. I say this because we would have to start. At the same time, teacher attendance rates also rose, which is a trend still seen in these districts, 20+ years later. The Alaska school year averaged about 180 days in length, and the school day was 6.48 hours long. Finally, shorter school days could result in less time for extracurricular activities, which could have a negative impact on student morale. If the school days are shortened, then students will not be able to learn enough because of the short school day. In Colorado, 31 of the states 176 school districts are currently using a 4-day school week. If young kids are too weary to concentrate or perform well in class, they may experience weariness or fall asleep during class time. It may improve overall student attendance. If she is not receptive to your suggestions, you may want to get a doctors note stating that recess is required. Schools are able to switch to a four-day week by simply increasing the length of their school day. Spread the loveBuilding a culturally responsive classroom is hard. Just 11 of the districts had enrollments of more than 1,000 students. These crimes occurred all during the week, This occurs because a large number of students are moving around the school campus. If practicums can be included with small group discussions, the retention rate can top 90% for some students. Pros of the 4-day School Week. Certain activities or games should be prohibited (for an indefinite period of time). List of Cons of Implementing 4-Day School Weeks 1. A story on the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's website said: Additional learning time as well as improved schedule alignment would make the lives of families noticeably more pleasant. Con: Not all students need one-on-one assistance, and some may even experience boredom or burnout from the extended school day. A local news reporter says thevve also saved substitute teacher costs because teachers don't have to take a day off for appointments (Chiaramonte 2 ). 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. 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. 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. The Chattooga County School District in Georgia shifted to a 4-day school week. One issue that schools face today is what kind of school schedule there should be throughout the year. Moving to the 4-day schedule shifts student movement patterns, reducing the number of lost transition minutes. For school districts struggling with funding issues, the potential savings here could save the budget. The Agrarian calendar is rooted in the past. The average time for school that is scheduled in a 4-day week is either 7:30am-5pm or 8am-5:30pm. The idea of having a four-day school has been around for several decades, and has been considered at least since the 1930s, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Dr. Meier is is a regular contributor for The Equity Network and has worked in education for more than 30 years. Spread the loveFor the past few decades, our countrys educational system has seen both struggle and tremendous change. Students follow the same type of pattern. 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! Sara Blackwell teaches Employment Law at University of South Florida in Tampa and she is a published author. In some situations, a single teacher may be responsible for over 100 students. Who Sang For Troy In High School Musical? Older students can spend time engaging in resum-building public service or paid work. 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. This schedule works much better for parents, who often have that working schedule themselves. There can be no one answer to this question because it is a matter of case by case. More rest then equates to dealing with less stress over the course of a school year. It's almost the end of the first semester, and realizations are starting to set in. Schools would also have to change their bus transportation systems which are designed to run as efficiently and inexpensively as possible. Our individualized learning setup at the Tenney School allows us to offer more instruction in a shorter amount of time. There have been several studies that reported the 4-day school week had positive effects on student's math and reading scores. Shifting to this schedule does have certain disadvantages, especially for working parents. Cutting that by 20% means a savings of $4 billion, if implemented nationwide. Your email address will not be published. Should school hours be shorter? 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. It creates a long school day for students. 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. Home Pros and Cons 20 Major Pros and Cons of a 4 Day School Week. 1. 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. 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. Employment opportunities with a 3-day weekend are increasing. The school districts in New Mexico are one of the best examples of this benefit. The schedule forces teachers to spend small blocks of time on specific topics without really being able to dig into in-depth issues. 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. They may also experience irritability and fatigue. Pros of Year-Round School. Cons: The obvious reason for not shortening school days is the lack of learning time. There are positive outcomes that may occur, but there are negative outcomes that must also be managed. There are 21 states that have four-day school districts. 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. They saved 1.4%, or $45,000, instead. Four day school weeks have been discussed by many schools, and some schools already have them. This means students in a district with this alternative schedule get out later for the holidays than students on the traditional Monday-Friday schedule. 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