Is the US switching to a four 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. AILSA CHANG, HOST: There are schools across the country that are dropping a day of school every week.

Which states are switching to 4-day weeks?

How many schools in the US are 4 days a week?

In more than 13,000 school districts nationwide, nearly 900 operate on a truncated schedule, up from 662 in 2019 and a little more than 100 in 1999, said Paul Thompson, an associate professor of economics at Oregon State University.

What percent of people want a 4-day school week?

Public support is growing

Between 2003 and 2023, the public's support for four-day school weeks as a means to save money more than doubled. In 2003, 25 percent of the general public said they would favor the move, compared with 53 percent in 2023, according to the results of polls conducted by PDK International.

What country has 4-day school week?

As a new school year begins, educators from Poland to Australia to the U.S. are implementing four-day weeks, in a variety of ways. Will this be a short-lived fad, or the beginning of a new approach to education that can reduce stress for students, help recruit teachers and rethink learning altogether?

More schools switching to 4-day week

What state has the longest school year?

Four states require more than 180 days, with Kansas as the leader. The Sunflower State mandates 186 days for kindergarten through 11th grade (and 181 days for 12th grade). Overall, the average requirement, among the states that have one, is 179 days. A minimum school year of 180 days has been the norm for a long time.

What country has 32 hour work week?

Lithuania. Lithuania doesn't have a blanket law enforcing a four-day workweek, but it enacted legislation in 2021 that now means parents with young children can just work 32 hours a week (the average workweek in the country is 40 hours long).

What are cons of 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.

Does a 4 day school week improve grades?

The researchers found a four-day school week had a statistically significant impact on math scores for fifth-grade students, while reading scores were not affected.

Are 4 day school weeks better?

Proponents of the schedule claim that it improves school climate and student behavior, but the evidence is mixed. In support of the claim, research shows the four-day week significantly reduces high school bullying and fighting incident rates and increases the amount of sleep elementary students get.

Why should schools switch to 4 day weekly?

The four-day week idea is closer to year- round school calendars that longer days. A primary reason for the idea is energy savings. Each state prescribes a minimum amount of days, sometimes minutes, that each school district must complete in their calendar.

Why are school years getting longer?

Over the last century, humans have acquired a staggering amount of knowledge and understanding. It makes sense that we now need to spend more time educating children, especially in the STEM fields, where knowledge is advancing rapidly and where job opportunities remain plentiful.

Why should school be 5 days a week instead of 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.

Is 4-day week coming?

There's no going back

But even without broader legislation encouraging them to make the switch, the number of both companies and governments eager to try a four-day work week is growing. 4DWG is launching new pilot programs quarterly around the world in the coming year.

Why is shorter school days better?

Enhanced Focus: Shorter school days can lead to increased focus during class. Students may find it easier to pay attention and engage in lessons without the mental fatigue associated with long school days. This could in turn improve their overall academic performance.

What state has less days of school?

Besides the states that do not have a required minimum number of school days each year, Colorado has the fewest required school days in the United States, at 160.

Why shouldn't schools switch to a four-day week?

Fewer hours mean lower grades, research shows

Students on a four-day schedule, especially those with the least hours in school, have lower English language arts and math scores than students on a five-day schedule.

Does a 4 day school week improve 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.

Why is school 5 days better?

Pros of a 5-day work-school week: It is a standard work-week schedule that many people are accustomed to, and it provides a sense of routine and structure. It allows for a consistent work-life balance and provides a predictable schedule for families to plan their activities around.

How many days a year do Chinese students go to school?

School days are longer and holidays are shorter. On average, under the current system the length of the secondary school year is 245 days. Chinese pupils get around four weeks off in winter, and seven weeks in summer, including weekends and all kinds of traditional festivals.

Will Florida have 4 day school weeks?

Volusia County started four-day school weeks for one of its charter schools this year, and Pasco County will have "mini-breaks" for students in October, February and April created by three shortened school weeks next year.

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.

What country only works 6 hours a day?

Sweden. The 6 hour workday has been subject to reoccurring debate since the early 70's after the prominent sociologist and politician Alva Myrdal proposed to implement it to Sveriges socialdemokratiska kvinnoförbund.

What country has the shortest work day?

Netherlands. According to government data, at only 29 hours per week, Netherlands has one of the shortest average work weeks in the world. The country ends up having 4-Day work week despite not having official rules for it.

Which is the world's hardest working nation?

A recent study by Business Name Generator probes Malta as the hardest-working country out of 150 other nations. The analysis found that the average paid work hours per week in Malta is 42.8, with 91.1% of workers putting in 49 or more hours per week.