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.

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 ...

Why should schools have 4 day weeks?

Pros and Cons of the Four-Day Week

By reducing the number of school days, schools can save money on transportation, food and energy costs. This can be especially important for rural districts where students may need to travel long distances to get to school.

What states are moving to 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.

Is Utah moving to all day kindergarten?

During the 2023 legislative session, the Utah Legislature passed HB 477, “Full Day Kindergarten Amendments.” Every school district in Utah now has a full-day kindergarten option. In fact, nearly 8,000 of the littlest Utahns finished their first year of full-day kindergarten classes in August.

More schools switching to 4-day week

What state is moving to Utah the most?

As Utah continues to grow, it's no surprise that the largest number of new residents comes from California. But it's not the only state driving the Beehive State's population growth. In 2022, Utah saw an influx of 91,341 new residents, according to recent numbers from the U.S. Census Bureau.

How many days of school are required in Utah?

(1)(a) Except as provided in Subsection (1)(b) and Subsection 53F-2-102(7), an LEA shall conduct school for at least 990 instructional hours over a minimum of 180 school days each school year.

What are the cons of a 4 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.

What state has the shortest school days?

What State Has the Fewest Required School Days? 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.

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

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.

How do 4 day school weeks affect mental health?

Rand.org found a 4-day week had other positive effects on: Reduced parental stress. Improved student mental health. Improved school climate.

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

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.

Who started 4 day school week?

Shrewsbury High School, Massachusetts, offered three alternative schedules to students including an extended day four-day schedule (Stemmock). The Cimarron School District in New Mexico also began the four-day week schedule in 1973 to save on energy costs (J.

Does Texas have a 4 day school week?

In an attempt to recruit teachers, boost student attendance, and promote professional development, public school districts across the state of Texas are making the switch to a four-day school week.

Is USA changing to a 4 day school week?

More school districts across the U.S. have switched from a five-day to a four-day school 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.

How long is a day of school in China?

The school days usually last a whole day (from around 8:00 until 17:00) with 45-minutes-long classes, with a little more flexible schedules in more rural areas. In China's metropolises, where lunch breaks are shorter, kids might finish school around 15:00 as well.

What is the oldest day school in the US?

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.

Is a 4 day school week better for teachers?

A shorter week makes it easier to staff schools, a particularly challenging task for rural schools, due to their geographic isolation and lower salaries. Proponents of the four-day week also say a shorter workweek could get teachers to reconsider leaving their job, or bring retirees back into the classroom.

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 school days should not be shorter?

Our children could end up losing large amounts of classroom learning - and then they would need even more private lessons to close the education gap. There is no possible way to reduce the day by even one hour without a negative effect on how much and how well our children learn.

How many days can a child miss school in Utah?

If a student is truant or has 5 absences in any class per term, Maeser Administration or another designated Maeser representative will make reasonable efforts to notify the student's parent(s) by telephone, mail, or personal communication.

Is Utah homeschool friendly?

Utah is a very homeschool-friendly state and not at all stringent when it comes to homeschool requirements. While the Utah State Board of Education usually provides information about state policies, homeschools are regulated at the local school district level.