How do 4 day school weeks affect mental health?

A four day school week will help alleviate some of the rising stress levels in our students, while aiming to enhance student, teacher, and parent mental health. It will help provide better opportunities, allow for time to strengthen families, and shift towards student-centered learning.

Does shorter school days improve mental health?

According to a study by the American Academy of Pediatrics, shorter class time could also have positive effects on students' health, such as lower obesity rates, better sleep quality, and fewer mental health issues.

What would be the impact of going to a four-day school week?

Proponents of a four-day school week argue that it offers several benefits, including cost savings, improved student attendance and increased teacher morale. By reducing the number of school days, schools can save money on transportation, food and energy costs.

How does school work affect mental health?

When facing academic stress, adolescents and young adults are more likely to develop anxiety or depression. They also experience less well-being and tend to do poorly in school. When given a better academic situation, or academic support, research suggests that students experience improved mental health.

Does a 4 day school week improve sleep?

A 2021 study by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation found that 4-day/week elementary kids got more sleep during the school week than 5-day/week kids, but middle and high school sleep remained the same. Call this one a draw.

Why you should take a break: Prioritizing mental health in schools | Hailey Hardcastle | TEDxSalem

Is a 4 day school week beneficial?

Thompson says that the most significant benefit of a four-day week is that it offers flexibility to district administrators, teachers and students. Teachers in four-day districts are usually on the clock on the day that students are out of school, although working on campus is often optional, Thompson said.

What are the pros and cons of a 4 day school week?

Does school improve mental health?

Education can also improve mental health by providing a sense of accomplishment. Some find that completing assignments and earning a degree gives them a feeling of pride and a boost in morale.

What causes mental health in students?

Mental health determinants

Multiple factors affect mental health. The more risk factors adolescents are exposed to, the greater the potential impact on their mental health. Factors that can contribute to stress during adolescence include exposure to adversity, pressure to conform with peers and exploration of identity.

Can school cause anxiety?

Back-to-school is an exciting time. But for many kids, it can cause stress and anxiety—even children who are usually easy going may experience butterflies and those with some anxiety may get more nervous and clingier than usual. Parents feel the pain, too. Leaving a crying child at school is hard for everyone.

How does a 4 day school week reduce stress?

Being out of school one extra day per week allows students to relax or to be more productive. The four-day format provides opportunities for an extra work day at an after-school job, engaging in volunteer activities or pursuing additional educational goals.

What states have a 4 day school week?

Oregon, Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado have had four-day schools for a long time. They are a more recent addition in places like Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas and Missouri. The states are gatekeepers in a way, mandating a minimum number of instructional days or hours.

Which country has 6 day school week?

Israel is the only country in the developed world where children go to school six days a week.

How long school days affect mental health?

With such long hours, it can be difficult for students to make friends and socialize. This can lead to mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.

Does longer school days cause stress?

More hours in the school day could possibly increase stress and pressure on the students due to increased workload and lack of time outside of class to complete work. These factors combined could affect their mental health in a negative way.

What are the cons of shorter school days?

What is the biggest mental health problem for students?

What is the hardest mental illness to live with?

Borderline personality disorder is one of the most painful mental illnesses since individuals struggling with this disorder are constantly trying to cope with volatile and overwhelming emotions.

Do grades affect mental health?

Consequences for the Student

Research suggests that depression is associated with lower grade point averages, and that co-occurring depression and anxiety can increase this association. Depression has also been linked to dropping out of school.

How does school affect mental health 2023?

The pressure to perform well can make students overanxious. Stress from failure and negative emotions from social rejection also contribute to mental health decline. The following can affect students' mental health negatively. High expectations – students can be under the pressure of their parents' high expectations.

Do schools care about mental health?

Most public schools offer mental health services to students, although utilization remains unclear. In the 2021-2022 school year, 96% of public schools reported offering at least one type of mental health service to their students.

Do schools talk about mental health?

Health classes in California high schools soon will cover more than just nutrition and exercise. Thanks to a new law that went into effect Jan. 1, students will learn about depression, schizophrenia, mood disorders and other serious mental health conditions.

How effective are 4 day school weeks?

One study found that the four-day week may hurt reading scores more than math scores. A large study released last year found that the shorter schedule held back student achievement in small-town and suburban districts but had little or no effect in rural districts.

Why should school be 5 days a week and not 4?

Coming to school five days per week provides the best consistency and routine for children, which we believe is fundamental to strong development at this early, formative age.

Why 23 Utah schools have moved to 4 day weeks?

On the positive side, some schools report that four-day school weeks are a boon for educators because they have an extra day to plan lessons, grade assignments and attend teacher training opportunities.