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. First and foremost, an extended school day would provide students with extra learning time. One is that students might not have enough time to receive all the instruction they need in a particular subject. Rural areas report that their student attendance has increased since switching to the 4-day school week. Over the course of a 2-year period on this alternative schedule, they reported up to a 20% increase in student attendance. Data from the National Association of Year-Round Education . Staff recruitment is easier with the 4-day school week for school districts. Spread the loveThis program assesses 15-year-old students schooling in countries that form part of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Well, for some rural schools across the nation, this has become a reality. The 4-day schedule eliminates one full driving day for the transportation department. On top of that, you will likely only be taking 1-2 classes at a time instead of four or more. four-day week across 16 school districts. Children have more time to participate in other activities that help them learn more. 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. It's almost the end of the first semester, and realizations are starting to set in. 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. Con: Not all students need one-on-one assistance, and some may even experience boredom or burnout from the extended school day. Disadvantage: Less time for extracurricular activities. The four-day school is a phenomenon that has been sweeping across the U.S. But you see with shorter school days youd have more spare time to complete school work. The districts on the 4-day school week are finding it easier to recruit for the staff they need because they offer the prospect of a 3-day weekend during the school year. These are the key points that must be addressed first. Certain activities or games should be prohibited (for an indefinite period of time). It may reduce the number of discipline referrals for students. Schools are facing many issues today. Children have a six-week summer break and ten days of off every 45 days of class. That also makes scheduling problematic for many families. All rights reserved. With the 4-day schedule, another 1.5 hours is added to their school day, every day. There were also reduced sick days requested by their teaching staff. This solution has many mixed opinions from parents, teachers and. If schools only had one day off per week, millions of dollars would be saved. Other schools are worried about academic performance. A small portion of the districts cash is saved, but not as much as intangibles. Spread the loveGlobalization is the growing interconnectedness of countries around the world. It may reduce the number of discipline referrals for students. 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. To avoid this issue, many school districts have considered shifting to a 4-day school week. Arlene Ackerman says she and her students don't have the strength to teach or learn near the end of the school day. It is critical to maintain a consistent schedule and not change it on a weekly basis in order to give students the best chance of success. It involves increasing communication and various forms of interaction between people of different nations, ethnicities and cultures. 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. 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. Con: School districts across the U.S. are struggling to make ends meet. More teaching: Covid-19 has resulted in a lot of disruption in teaching. Copyright (c) 2023 Matthew Lynch. 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. It changes the holiday schedules for the school district. To see how shorter school days hurt both teachers and students, we need to look at a major structural change in education. "I get really tired throughout the day and I would love shorter school hours." Special correspondent Lisa Stark of Education Week reports on the pros and cons for students, families and schools. 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. Students feel less pressure because they have more time to study at their own pace at home, especially in the later grades. In the United States, the average school day is around six and a half hours long. (Solution). 2. To compare, a regular semester generally lasts 16-18 weeks. Our individualized learning setup at the Tenney School allows us to offer more instruction in a shorter amount of time. It provides an extra day for actual rest to occur when it may be needed without compromising the remainder of the family schedule. They can explore and discover various hobbies and interests, maintain their stress levels and get more sleep. After physical activity, children with or without ADHD appear to perform better at attention, memory, and mood. Children need the opportunity to rest and re-energize, and theyre often overextended with activities, homework and part-time jobs. There are a few reasons why shorter school days could be beneficial. Accidents, absences, and absences all fall on the decline, and students academic performance rises. There are a few potential drawbacks to shorter school days. Less time in school could allow students the freedom to discover other interests that are fulfilling and stimulating. After analyzing Colorado schools operating on four-day school weeks, (Dam) reports that transportation costs can be reduced by 20%. Schools are able to switch to a four-day week by simply increasing the length of their school day. 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 idea has been to cut hours while keeping pay the same. . 1. According to Adam Urbanski, president of the Rochester Teachers Association, there is no guarantee that popularity will be replicated in other schools. Moving to the 4-day schedule shifts student movement patterns, reducing the number of lost transition minutes. . It is encouraged for students to try new things in order to benefit from them. Better sleep: Delayed start time could help teens sleep during . According to The Notebook, longer school days add to low energy and exhaustion. The four-day week did not appear to affect. 6. 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. Read the Full Transcript Judy Woodruff: For many American students and. Some districts take just one week off at Christmas instead of two weeks because of these conflicts. Students already feel like their school day is too long. Changing the system could result in many more. 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. The Pros and Cons of Year-Round Schools. 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. All of these consequences just because nobody wants to shorten the school day. Spread the loveThe International Baccalaureate Program is a very intensive pre-college program in which when students get involved, they get college credit. There are many financial benefits from a 4 day school week.With only 4 days in a week, that is one less day theschool has to pay for lunches . Does this sound exciting and rich with possibilities? Financial problems is was most of a four day school week is about. The Chattooga County School District in Georgia shifted to a 4-day school week. Many say that the four day school week is good for students. There should be year round schooling because it can help students learn more and forget less, other classes are included and childcare is provided, teachers get more time to plan and teach lessons. As a result, learning is less effective due to budget constraints. The kids groan, complain about getting out of bed, and struggle to get through the morning routine. Suffolk Public Schools went with a 7:25 am start time for their district and are saving almost $700,000 per year. It can help teachers and students better manage the process of learning. Year-round education (YRE) is being considered or adopted by some districts. It may improve overall student attendance. The Pros and Cons of a Shortened School Schedule Every issue has its good and bad bits, and the same is true for districts making the switch to a shortened school week. A poll where 2,700 random people were polled about 67% favoured a 4 day school week(university of Scranton). So it is illogical to think that a four day week will help other grade levels. Easier to recruit employees. We call for a relatively radical and certainly quite comprehensive reorganization of Americas P-20 system. 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. That reduces the effective time they would have for homework once they actually make it home. 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. There are various school days in the United States. In New Mexico, 18 of the states 89 school districts are currently using this alternative schedule. Since many of the families in these areas run farms, it gives families extra time to get work done during the week. Approximately 1,800 schools in the U.S. have extended learning hours, but there are many pros and cons of extended school days. This schedule cycles consistently throughout the year while making minor adjustments for major holidays and teacher workdays. If a student lives an hour outside of town and have an 8am school bell to meet, then theyre on the bus at 7am. Data is an important variable if youre considering the longer school days pros and cons list. Pros and Cons of a Shorter Workweek. 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. That means one of the biggest expenses for the district is immediately cut by 20%. There are positive outcomes that may occur, but there are negative outcomes that must also be managed. 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? The Chattooga County School District reported similar results from their trial with this schedule as well. What are the pros and cons for students, teachers and school boards? configuration, but nine districts were actually spending more. Here are a few: 1. The pros and cons of a 4-day school week offer many challenges. Spread the loveThis term refers to the grouping of students by mental capability, aptitude, or hobbies. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, students are less active when they are not allowed to recess during the school day due to bad classroom behavior. 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. Dr. Meier is is a regular contributor for The Equity Network and has worked in education for more than 30 years. Also, there have been studies that found that special populations do not thrive under this configuration. Other Debates. This can be due to a lack of accessible facilities and resources, or negative attitudes and misconceptions from teachers and classmates. Children would get up early and help with chores, go to school and then help out on the farm until sundown. 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. Bisbee Unified School District (AZ) saved $154,000, Duval County Public School (FL) saved $7 million, and Lake Superior School District (MN) $200,000. Students with less sleep have difficulty paying attention in class and are likely to have lower grades. If so, keep reading. It provides a realistic way for schools to remain open and also has added benefits beyond saving money. Because the four-day school week has only been around for a decade or so, we simply dont have enough time, data, or research to make a definitive declaration. Sara Blackwell teaches Employment Law at University of South Florida in Tampa and she is a published author. 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. For the Cove School District in Eastern Oregon, the school day begins at 8am and doesnt end until 4pm. Pro: Education is a priority, and funding should not hold back efforts to provide more effective academic preparation for students. 1. Spread the loveTeachers need to realize that at home, in their neighborhoods, and in school, many students face difficulties that can interfere with learning. In many cases, it is in the best interests of students to reduce costs and have minimal impact on instruction. 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. An eight-hour day is pretty undesirable for elementary-aged kids. If a longer lunch allows high school students to leave campus, they might opt for unhealthy fast-food options; on the other hand, this extended time might allow them to seek out healthier dishes than those available in the cafeteria. 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. Anticipated savings are in transportation, food and food service workers, hourly workers and utilities. More time to focus on mental health In the typical K-12 schooling model, mental health education is too often shunted aside. Pro: In 2004, the school day was lengthened for a Massachusetts school to address the issue of underperforming students. 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 Pros and Cons. 5. School administration, associates with principal office also went down. During class time, young kids who are too exhausted to concentrate or perform well may experience tiredness or fall asleep. Saving on utilities school buses, and long term building wear and tear. Pro: An extended school day provides more flexibility for parents, eliminating the need for after-school care. One is that it would likely mean that teachers would have to teach more classes, which could lead to burnout. From the moment you walk into the second you walk out. If school doesnt get out until 4pm, then the student makes it home at 5pm. It may eliminate common holidays, such as Memorial Day or Labor Day, from the schedule. Your typical school week: Monday-Friday with the hours sometime between 7 am- 4 pm. Every community has their own unique requirements that must be addressed by school scheduling. Long summers are known to cause "summer slide," or the decline of academic skills and knowledge over the course of the extended vacation. Students usually go to school about 6 hours each day in most districts. There are improvements in the school financially. (Question). One issue that schools face today is what kind of school schedule there should be throughout the year. Another is that shorter days could lead to shorter attention spans in classrooms. After-school activities begin at that point, which means some students dont make it back home until 8pm that night. Dr. Kelly Meier earned her doctorate from Minnesota State Mankato in Educational Leadership. Increase Engagement and Productivity. Pros of Year-Round School. Well, at least initially. 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. It might help school districts save money. Getting to school on-time or making it out for the bus is a constant battle. Do 4-day school weeks positively affect student outcomes? There is no one answer to this question as every disabled students experience is unique. 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. Year-Round Schedules Many people think of the school year as starting in August or at the beginning of September and continuing for 10 months. They balk at the idea of kids attending schools with no summer break. Delaying school start times is associated with a decrease in bedtimes and an increase in sleep for every minute the school day is delayed. The. This provided the teacher with more freedom with curriculum and time management. She studies hard, does her research and assignments, and goes to class every single day. Others believe that lengthening the school day is an expensive endeavor that wont yield substantial results. By switching to a 4-day school week, the number of transitions can be reduced because more time can be spent on each subject. Because of this, school districts dont have a hard The very thought of sending kids to school year-round makes some parents cringe. After-school jobs are a common way for teens to make money. the fifth day, but they forget, they will still be open and running activities Schools can save up to 20% on some budget-line expenses with a 4-day week. Finally, some parents worry that shorter days could mean that their children would have less . Overall, a shorter school schedule resulted in a 7% increase in math scores and a 3% gain in reading. Students can adjust to the new schedule. With short school days, students can devote a fair share of time to other meaningful areas in their life, such as socializing and simply being a kid. 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. Spread the loveThis term describes a manner of classifying gifted students to place them in properly segmented classrooms. Spread the loveThe Talent Search Initiative has as its aim; the identification of high-performing students by organizing specific tests. Spread the loveFor the past few decades, our countrys educational system has seen both struggle and tremendous change. Increasing the length of school days may result in attention deficit and exhaustion, making the additional class time inefficient. The majority of these are found in the western United States, including Oregon, Montana, Idaho, Colorado, and Oklahoma, Thompson said. The disadvantage is that more time does not equate to more learning. Employment opportunities with a 3-day weekend are increasing. That means the students in those districts have better opportunities to learn. As a result, students dont have to miss school to help out. And the school districts in the state have stable student achievement levels on their standardized tests. Spread the loveApplying for admission to professional and graduate schools is no less competitive than college/undergraduate admissions. NEA Today: A 9 to 5 School Day: Are Longer Hours Better for Students and Educators? The National School Board Association estimates that approximately 135,000 guns are brought to America's 85,000 public schools each day. 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. This schedule works much better for parents, who often have that working schedule themselves. Lets take a look at some proof. 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 shifted to a 4-day school week, they reported that they were forced to focus on instruction much more than they had previously. 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. Spread the loveOne of the questions that I am frequently asked is, what does a good teacher look like? The 180-day calendar is shorter than that of other industrialized countries, and some schools even find ways to shave days even further. As a result, kids will be less worried about time management and will be less likely to fall behind on such rewarding activities. teams may need to practice, professional development sessions may convene, etc. Theyre from moments we remember having fun, whether that was in the classroom, the playground, or the athletics field. Increases student attendance. The standard requirement for schools is 180 days or an average range of 990-1080 hours. It starts too early, ends too late, and occurs far too often. This is one of the strongest arguments in favour of a longer school day. 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 in the third through sixth grades have improved their ACT scores, according to studies. 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. It lists the advantages of the four-day model as: Improved morale and fewer absences: A shorter working week leads to less burnout, making staff happier and more focused in . The four-day week, according to the research, is far more cost-effective than the traditional five-day week. The Advantages and Disadvantages of Extended School Days Advantage: More time to devote to learning. 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. 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. Colorado, juvenile crime increased by 73% whenever a school changed their After 12 hours of being away from home, students struggle to find time to study during the 4-day school week. The school day had to accommodate available daylight and the requirements of helping with the family farm. In addition, they are given a week off for major holidays and 2 weeks of summer vacation at their parents discretion. Those against extended lunches might argue . Rural families experience the greatest impacts from the 4-day school week. They argue that playing with classmates helps children develop social skills. Those changes happen because students who are active participants in their learning have more fun in school. This added Revisiting Using Edtech for Bullying and Suicide Prevention. These are more reasons CHS should move to a four day school week. For school districts following the 4-day school week, the Thanksgiving holiday usually receives a full week off instead of the final two days of the week. 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. These actions often negate the benefits of the 3-day weekend because it really isnt a true 3-day weekend. In Colorado, 31 of the states 176 school districts are currently using a 4-day school week. So what are the pros and cons of 4-day school weeks? School districts save money. Con: A longitudinal study in New Mexico looked at the performance difference in K-3 students from seven different school districts. The article Should School Stay Earlier? The Rochester City Council established the Extended Learning Time initiative as part of Rochesters ongoing commitment to education. In order to squeeze the regular five-day workload into four days, it would necessitate the closure of vital services on that additional day and the lengthening of working days on the other days. In Alabama, the school year lasts 180 days and the school day lasts 7.03 hours. First, it would give students more time to focus on their homework and studies outside of school. Practices for sports are still held on the fifth day, as are teacher conferences, staff development opportunities, and required janitorial work. The Advantages and Disadvantages of Extended School Days. A new educational model could be implemented: 9-to-5 schools. . time attracting qualified applicants. 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. The disadvantage is that more time does not equate to more learning. What's the Difference Between Burnout and Demoralization, and What Can Teachers Do About It? According to a Center for American Progress study, traditional school schedules are out of sync with the current economic environment. Childrens schooldays should be around 8 hours long, and they should be school-aged all year. I say this because we would have to start. 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. 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. One is that it would likely mean that teachers would have to teach more classes, which could lead to burnout. Students have more time outside of school to focus on other important aspects of their lives. 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. Year-round schooling has been proposed as a better option for students than a traditional 9-month schedule. Long school days, on the other hand, can present some challenges and, at the very least, unsatisfactory outcomes. Extending the school days even longer would further cut into valuable time to bond with family. Some families find that aligning the school day with typical parent work schedules is a family-friendly approach. Con: A lengthened school day may impede upon extracurricular activities, especially in secondary education. There can be no one answer to this question because it is a matter of case by case. Spread the loveAre you looking for strategies to encourage students to take care of their personal property? 1. But the extra money hasn't gone into teachers' salaries, which have dropped on average from . It is a program for mostly rural and small school districts. Even the cost savings of a total shift to a 4-day schedule may be minimal. Shorter work weeks can improve employment productivity and provide families with more meaningful time together. Pro: An extended school day provides more time for students to learn and the possibility of providing individualized attention for students in need. Why shorter school days are better for teachers? That means half of parents will enjoy the alternative school schedule and half will hate it. Some students believe that having a four-day school week allows them to get more rest and to be in a less stressful atmosphere than they would otherwise have. Your email address will not be published. over 1 million dollars on utilities, busing, and labor costs. remediating them begin to take a bite out of the budget. The Alaska school year averaged about 180 days in length, and the school day was 6.48 hours long. Eleven states set the minimum number of instructional days between 160 and 179 days, and two states set the minimum above 180 days (Kansas and Ohio). For others, perhaps not. With the long break of summer, many people prefer the short breaks of year round schools. 2. What are the Pros and Cons of 4-Day School Weeks? The evaluated skills include science, math, and reading. 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. 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.

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