He goes on to say that in order to realize that level of savings, schools must severely limit transportation for activities or programs not conducted on regular school days. Shorter Workweek: Pros and Cons for Employee Productivity Disadvantage: Less time for extracurricular activities. Rural families experience the greatest impacts from the 4-day school week. The 180-day calendar is shorter than that of other industrialized countries, and some schools even find ways to shave days even further. 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. recess has numerous benefits, including assisting students in reducing aggression and improving learning. on those days off. Those against extended lunches might argue . In the United States, about 50% of all companies are either offering or thinking about offering a 4-day workweek for their workers. Traditional vs. Pros and Cons of Year-Round School - American University There are potential reductions in the financial costs of running a school district. 3. The Agrarian calendar is rooted in the past. Should We Have Shorter School Days? - The BlackWell Firm Colorado, juvenile crime increased by 73% whenever a school changed their One way to address these issues is to shift the traditional school schedule into a 4-day week. Overall, a shorter school schedule resulted in a 7% increase in math scores and a 3% gain in reading. Most students, especially younger ones, find that the traditional school schedule is already too long. configuration, but nine districts were actually spending more. Custer School District, in rural South Dakota, believed they could save $70,000 with a 4-day school week. The Alaska school year averaged about 180 days in length, and the school day was 6.48 hours long. However, these basics vary, depending on a company's policy. Their child is at home while they are at work, which is problematic for parents of younger children. 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. Shorter days can only be seen as a positive thing and would benefit students, teacher, and administrators. Should schools go to a 4 day school week instead of 5 days? The list just gets longer. Pro: An extended school day provides more time for students to learn and the possibility of providing individualized attention for students in need. Reasons Why the School Day Should Be Shorter - Synonym Going to the 4-day schedule can create scheduling conflicts with other districts, particularly with sporting events, performances, and groups like 4-H. At the same time, teacher attendance rates also rose, which is a trend still seen in these districts, 20+ years later. 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. Pros of Year-Round School. The average national cost that schools need to pay for each students bus transportation is $459. Why Should School Days Be Longer? (Best solution) 4 Day School Week Pros and Cons. 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. 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I believe that if we go to a four day school week that it would help the kids physically, mentally, and financially. Some families find that aligning the school day with typical parent work schedules is a family-friendly approach. How Would Later School Start Times Affect Sleep? What they discovered was unexpected. In YRE, the number of days in school equals the number of days in a calendar year (180 days). Schools are able to switch to a four-day week by simply increasing the length of their school day. Games occur in the evening, often on the weekend. They can explore and discover various hobbies and interests, maintain their stress levels and get more sleep. Bisbee Unified School District (AZ) saved $154,000, Duval County Public School (FL) saved $7 million, and Lake Superior School District (MN) $200,000. There can be no one answer to this question because it is a matter of case by case. Do 4-day school weeks positively affect student outcomes? After-school jobs are a common way for teens to make money. districts think they will save tons of money by cutting operational costs on There are several advantages and disadvantages of 4-day school weeks to examine based on the results that districts are reporting from their efforts to implement this schedule. If so, keep reading. So it is illogical to think that a four day week will help other grade levels. If so, keep reading. Con: A longitudinal study in New Mexico looked at the performance difference in K-3 students from seven different school districts. The Pros and Cons of a Four-Day School Week - ThoughtCo 12 Pros and Cons of a 4 Day School Week (2023) Schools may even have to purchase lights for after school activities. 4-day school weeks add There are numerous advantages and disadvantages to each. Copyright (c) 2023 Matthew Lynch. Some students and parents have been advocating for shorter school days, and there is some evidence to suggest that shorter days could be beneficial. Also, there have been studies that found that special populations do not thrive under this configuration. Students will have extra time outside of school to devote to other essential elements of their life as a result of this change. 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. 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. Does precision really make a program successful? If a student lives an hour outside of town and have an 8am school bell to meet, then theyre on the bus at 7am. Con: Not all students need one-on-one assistance, and some may even experience boredom or burnout from the extended school day. Older students can spend time engaging in resum-building public service or paid work. The benefits are many. 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. 3. But the extra money hasn't gone into teachers' salaries, which have dropped on average from . NEA Today: A 9 to 5 School Day: Are Longer Hours Better for Students and Educators? The ability to express oneself via electives can make children happier and more cooperative in the classroom. 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. Those changes happen because students who are active participants in their learning have more fun in school. Having well-rested and happy employees can increase their overall work engagement and productivity. Savings on school buses and long-term building wear and tear have also been reported. The evaluated skills include science, math, and reading. The Chattooga County School District in Georgia shifted to a 4-day school week. 10 Longer School Days Pros and Cons - Vittana.org School districts consider shorter school days for several reasons, including saving money and providing students the ability to participate in more extracurricular activities. 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. Students are tired and cranky by the end of the day. As a result, learning is less effective due to budget constraints. 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. Colorado has nearly three-quarters of its school districts on a four-day schedule. 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. There are positive outcomes that may occur, but there are negative outcomes that must also be managed. There are positive outcomes that may occur, but there are negative outcomes that must also be managed. Pros and Cons of a Longer School Day | GoStudent | GoStudent Spread the loveWe all have our heroes. These school districts are typically in isolated regions, are rural, and have a student body that is fewer than 500 students. 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. 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%. The Advantages and Disadvantages of Extended School Days Advantage: More time to devote to learning. over 1 million dollars on utilities, busing, and labor costs. Their students were more focused because they were more rested, which equated to fewer classroom disruptions. Does this sound exciting and rich with possibilities? A change in schedule is an adjustment for school officials, students and families. Year-round schooling has been proposed as a better option for students than a traditional 9-month schedule. In the United States, the average school day is around six and a half hours long. Sometimes, schools are forced to travel during the school week to play some games or attend certain events. This means students in a district with this alternative schedule get out later for the holidays than students on the traditional Monday-Friday schedule. Well, for some rural schools across the nation, this has become a reality. Spread the loveAfrican Africans have a long history of being mistreated in the United States, starting with slavery. 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. These will be some pros of a four day school week. What we envisage may not be the most straightforward or the most conventional ideas. It requires longer school days. School Days Should Be Shorter: Persuasive Essay 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. In-depth consultation between all constituents reveals the pros and cons of extended school days. The average time for school that is scheduled in a 4-day week is either 7:30am-5pm or 8am-5:30pm. This solution has many mixed opinions from parents, teachers and. 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. 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 . 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 ). A poll where 2,700 random people were polled about 67% favoured a 4 day school week(university of Scranton). Employment opportunities with a 3-day weekend are increasing. It provides an extra day for actual rest to occur when it may be needed without compromising the remainder of the family schedule. What are the Pros and Cons of 4-Day School Weeks? That also makes scheduling problematic for many families. Despite the fact that a few studies have recently been published, there is no significant research on the four-day school week. The Benefits of Shorter School Days | Case Study Template To be competitive in a global market, students need to be exposed to a wide variety of subject matter. Opportunity to relax and really immerse yourself in the experience. 2. In 1995, 84 school districts were studied that had already implemented a 4-day school week. Most parents work a 5-day schedule and struggle to adapt to a 4-day school schedule. When teachers are more effective and efficient, student performance follows a similar pattern. Imagine a school year that gave the students one week off after every quarter and every Friday off. More rest then equates to dealing with less stress over the course of a school year. Teachers are frequently overworked and required to perform tasks that are outside their job description. 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%. The majority of these are found in the western United States, including Oregon, Montana, Idaho, Colorado, and Oklahoma, Thompson said. Elizabeth Perle 1). Do students learn better in shorter classes? 5. According to the vast majority of states, spanking your child is against the law. Underperforming schools and the lagging performance of U.S. students in comparison to other countries is a concern. That reduces the effective time they would have for homework once they actually make it home. Better Employee Engagement A 4 day week can lead to happier and more committed employees. A story on the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's website said: Pros Vs. Cons of Extended School Days - The Classroom Well, at least initially. When teachers operate under time constraints, in high-pressure situations, then they typically default to a lecture-based teaching style. Pro: In 2004, the school day was lengthened for a Massachusetts school to address the issue of underperforming students. This has been a hot topic especially the states that dont have as large of an economy. Advantage: More time for other subjects. Teachers have more time to prepare lessons and collaborate during the day. They question the value of a continuous . Students attending a 4-day school schedule may have requirements for their education that fall outside of the normal work schedule for their parents. This is one reason school districts use to implement dress codes. Pros and cons of a four day working week. 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. Also, since special populations fare poorly in this configuration, the costs of Administrative staff are required to be on-site, sports Shortening the school day by even an hour or two can allow a district to save dramatically on its utility costs. For non year-round schools the dropout rate is 5%, which is more than all year-round schools. Other pros and cons exist in the school lunch debate. Public school everything for schoolchildren and students. Instead, an investment should be made in improving teaching strategies and new technology that could transform the learning process. 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. 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. List of the Advantages of 4-Day School Weeks 1. Additional learning time as well as improved schedule alignment would make the lives of families noticeably more pleasant. Students that sit in lecture classrooms retain 10% or less of the information that is presented to them. Extending the school days even longer would further cut into valuable time to bond with family. In many US school districts, the first class begins 1-2 hours after most parents need to be at work. There are many changes with switching the school days. . Another is that shorter days could lead to shorter attention spans in classrooms. It takes about 4-years for schools to get these students back on track 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. Although the final outcome was beneficial the origins of the extended day was not welcomed. This could be especially true for students who are struggling in a particular subject or for students who have a lot of homework. There are potential savings to food programs and other important areas of infrastructure because the school district is closed 1 additional day each week. Here are some additional key points to think about when looking at the pros and cons of a 4-day school week. 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. 2. Students are still getting the same amount of instruction in terms of minutes, just in a shorter number of days. It might help school districts save money. Children need the opportunity to rest and re-energize, and theyre often overextended with activities, homework and part-time jobs. 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. Some research indicates there may be slight academic benefits to extending the school day. Increases student attendance. Sara Blackwell teaches Employment Law at University of South Florida in Tampa and she is a published author. 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. Dr. Kelly Meier earned her doctorate from Minnesota State Mankato in Educational Leadership. Pros and cons of shorter work weeks. The Pros and Cons of Longer vs. Shorter Trips. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. 15 Major Pros and Cons of Early School Start Times The final class ends 1-2 hours before the work day ends for most parents. What are the advantages and disadvantages of including issues such as child care? Spread the loveThe International Baccalaureate Program is a very intensive pre-college program in which when students get involved, they get college credit. Parents can drop-off their kids in the morning, then pick them up in the afternoon, without worrying about work. 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. Massachusetts, a pioneer in extended learning time (ELT), has made significant progress in this field. Easier to recruit employees. 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. Black Boys in Crisis: Why Arent They Reading? After analyzing Colorado schools operating on four-day school weeks, (Dam) reports that transportation costs can be reduced by 20%. What are the pros and cons for students, teachers and school boards? The National School Board Association estimates that approximately 135,000 guns are brought to America's 85,000 public schools each day. Kuss Middle School in Fall River, Mass., has risen from a Level 5 to a Level 1 after implementing extended learning time. 2. 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. 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. We were able to build a strong community and school consensus as a result of our programs success.