Should we have shorter school weeks?

They reviewed test scores, surveyed families, and traveled through three states interviewing students, parents, teachers, and principals. They found that a shorter school week can help small districts like Athens compete for teachers and cut some costs. But it also comes with small delays in student achievement.

Why should we have shorter school weeks?

With a longer weekend, students have more time to rest and engage in extracurricular activities, which can lead to better attendance during the week. This, in turn, can lead to improved academic performance. Furthermore, a four-day school week can help to boost teacher morale.

Should schools have shorter class periods?

Shorter class periods mean more transitions and class changes. This time allows students to get a break from class to class, and students get to socialize with their friends for a few minutes. Having this short transition time would help the students so they can focus better when they go into the next class.

Why shouldn't we have 4 day school weeks?

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.

Why should schools keep 5 day weeks?

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 School Should Only Be 4 Days A Week

Why do people want 4 day school weeks?

About 90 percent of districts operating four-day weeks are located in rural areas. Leaders in those communities cite teacher recruitment and retention, cost savings, and community support among the reasons they've opted for the shortened week. Childcare is often raised as a concern related to four-day weeks.

Is a 4 day school week good or bad?

THE SCHEDULE IS INEQUITABLE

A shorter week sounds like an A+ idea for school districts and teachers. However, critics of the four-day school week find it problematic in its inequity, particularly for lower income families. In many American households, the adults work eight-hour days at least five days a week.

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.

Do teachers like four day school week?

Studies have shown that parents and students are fans of the change largely because it provides a day to catch up on work, run errands, and spend time with family. This model of shorter weeks is also thought to attract and retain teachers better than the traditional model.

What are the cons of shorter school days?

What are the pros of shorter school days?

The four-day school week could help students and teachers reduce their stress and fatigue from the long workday. Shorter school days could enhance students' well-being by allowing them to have more balance and flexibility in spending time on their academic, personal, and social needs.

What are the disadvantages of a 7 period school day?

Generally a seven-period day results in fewer curricular opportunities. Depending on high school graduation requirements there may be fewer opportunities for elective classes.

What countries have shorter school days?

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.

Which country has the shortest school day?

Finland has the shortest school days! In Finland, children get a 15-minute break every 45 minutes. This equates to an average of three hours and 45 minutes of educational instruction each day. Primary school children in Germany go to school from 8:30–11:30.

What state has 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.

Why should schools have shorter summer breaks?

Less Summer Learning Loss

Advocates of year-round calendar systems often cite reduced summer learning loss as a reason to shift away from the traditional calendar. The logic here seems sound – since students have shorter summer breaks, there's less time to forget what they learned during the school year.

Why are 5 day school weeks better than 4 day school weeks?

It saved me gas money transporting my kids to and from school. It also saves me on lunch groceries. I also really feel like I have more time with my kids and they are better rested. We are also able to miss less school because we schedule appointments on Fridays.

Should students have a 3 day weekend?

To sum up, there are a lot of advantages to the concept of 3-day weekends for schools. The longer break gives students the opportunity to flourish academically, emotionally, and socially by promoting better well-being, relaxation, and the pursuit of personal interests.

Is Florida switching to 4 day school week?

Four day workweek trials

A Florida school board is "trying something new" by adding four-day weekends to the school calendar to combat absenteeism. Pasco County School board members voted unanimously on Tuesday to approve three of these "mini-breaks" in October, February and April for the 2024-2025 school year.

Does 4 day school week decrease bullying?

Results indicate that four-day school weeks decrease per-pupil bullying incidents by approximately 31% and per-pupil fighting incidents by approximately 27%, but have no detectable effect on other incident types, ACT scores, or attendance.

Why students should have Wednesday off?

If students have a day off in the middle of the week, they have more time to relax, and not get overwhelmed by school. Teachers would have a whole extra day to work on grades. Schools would be able to save money by not having to operate the school for one less day a week.

How does a 4 day school week affect grades?

At first blush, a 2022 study of the effects of shortened school schedules in 12 states seems pretty bleak. Nationwide, researchers found significantly lower math and English/language arts achievement at schools using four-day weeks during the time period from 2009-2018 than in schools using a traditional schedule.

How do you get through a school week?

Is Presidents day a school holiday in California?

Presidents Day is a federal holiday celebrated annually on the third Monday in February. California Education Code Section 37220: The third Monday in February, known as "Washington Day".