Is California switching to a 4 day school week?

But the trend isn't taking hold in California. Only two tiny, remote California school districts, Leggett Valley Unified in Mendocino County and Big Sur Unified in Monterey County, have shortened the week for students.

Is the 4 day school week in California?

Students go to school only four days a week, Monday through Thursday. There are periodically Friday school days, but not often. There is only one other school district in California the state has allowed to have a four-day school schedule. That's Leggett Valley Unified oi the Eel River in Mendocino County.

What states are switching to 4 day school weeks?

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.

Why have some schools in the United States switched to a four-day school week?

Hundreds of school systems around the country have adopted four-day weeks in recent years, mostly in rural and western parts of the U.S. Districts cite cost savings and advantages for teacher recruitment, although some have questioned the effects on students who already missed out on significant learning during the ...

How many school days are mandatory in California?

Education Code Section 46200, school Districts that offer less than 180 days of instruction are noncompliant with California Education Code (Charter Schools 175 days).

How Common Core Broke U.S. Schools

Which state has the shortest school year?

The most? Seven states set minimums less than 180 days, with Colorado having the lowest requirement at 160 days.

What state has the longest school year?

Kansas requires 186 school days, while Illinois and North Carolina mandate 185 school days. These states have slightly longer academic years compared to the majority. On the other hand, some states have fewer required school days.

Is USA changing to a 4-day school week?

Many school districts around the U.S. are moving to a four-day school week to retain teachers. Districts that don't want to raise taxes to pay teachers more are using the long weekend as an incentive.

What is the downside of a four-day school week?

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 is a 4-day school week bad?

“Probably the biggest downside of a four-day school week is the longer school days, which can challenge students' attention spans, especially younger children,” Pallas adds. “It's important to understand that a four-day school week doesn't decrease the total hours of instruction in the school week," Pallas explains.

How many states have 4 day school weeks 2023?

Nearly 900 school districts in the United States currently use a four-day weekly academic schedule. That number rose from 650 districts in 2020 to 876 districts, across 26 states, in 2023.

Why is shorter school days better?

Studies suggest that shorter school week give attendance and test scores a high-five! The four-day school week could help students and teachers reduce their stress and fatigue from the long workday.

Is 4 day school week better than 5?

The research is mixed on the impact of four-day weeks on student achievement, but most studies find small to medium negative impacts on achievement on average. These negative effects are roughly equivalent to a student being two to seven weeks behind where they would have been if they had stayed on a five-day week.

Is Saturday school a thing in California?

Section 37223 - Saturday or Sunday classes (a)The governing board of any elementary, high school, or unified school district or any county superintendent of schools may maintain classes on Saturday or Sunday, or both.

How many schools in the US have a 4 day school week?

This time around, schools are making the switch more often with a goal of boosting teacher recruitment and retention. Four-day weeks have been adopted in almost 900 school districts nationwide, the Associated Press reported in September 2023 .

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 5 days of school is better than 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.

Does 4-day school week improve mental health?

While 4-day did make an impact on average years of experience among teachers, it also made a big impact elsewhere. Parents repeatedly emphasize its effect on childrens' mental health and overall well-being. Many Life School students and parents report reduced feelings of stress and burnout.

Should school be 4 days a week pros and cons?

Who started the four-day school week?

Stemmock (1975) claimed that the first four-day schedule to receive national recognition was Unity Elementary school in the Maine Administrative District # 3 in the early 1970's. It was reported that Unity saved $13,000 in operating costs in the first five months of implementation.

Is Florida getting 4 day school week?

The extended weekends -- Oct. 12-15, 2024, Feb. 14-17, 2025, and April 18-21, 2005 -- will be added to the school calendar in addition to the weeklong Thanksgiving holiday, the two week Christmas break in December and a one-week pause in March for spring break.

Which school has the shortest hours?

Typically, the Finnish school day starts anywhere from 9 to 9:45 a.m., and students typically spend only about five hours a day in the classroom.

Who has the shortest school time?

Finland and Brazil, known for their progressive educational systems, average a 5-hour school day, focusing on efficiency and student well-being. Germany presents the shortest average school day, with students spending only 4 hours and 30 minutes in school.

How old is the oldest school in America?

Boston Latin School is the oldest school in America. It was founded April 23, 1635 by the Town of Boston (see Footnotes), antedating Harvard College by more than a year.