Why a 4 day school week is 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.

What are the disadvantages 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.

How does a 4 day school week affect students mental health?

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. A shorter school week means fewer days of intense academics, allowing everyone to recharge over the long weekend.

Why are more US schools shifting to a 4 day week?

To retain teachers 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.

Why is 4 days of school better than 5 days of school?

In addition, some studies have shown that student attendance improves under a four-day school week. 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.

Why School Should Only Be 4 Days A Week

Should school be 4 days instead of 5?

The researchers write that their findings “suggest that four-day school weeks that operate with adequate levels of time in school have no clear negative effect on achievement and, instead, that it is operating four-day school weeks in a low-time-in-school environment that should be cautioned against.”

Does a 4 day school week improve attendance?

A four-day school week can improve student and teacher attendance. Appointments for doctors, dentists, and home maintenance services are able to be scheduled on that extra day off. Doing this naturally boost attendance for both teachers and students.

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.

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.

Why are school days shorter?

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 pros and cons of a 4 day school week?

Would a 4 day school week reduce stress?

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 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.

Why is a school year 180 days?

The American school year is 180 days to follow the agrarian calender. The idea being that your long summer would allow your school children to tend to the family farm during the harvesting season.

What states are moving to 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.

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.

How many people want 4 days of school?

But now there's growing support among Americans for a four-day school week, as more than half of U.S. adults—53 percent—say they are in favor of shifting to a shorter schedule in their community.

Is Florida doing the 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.

Why 3 day weekends are good for students?

During a three-day weekend, students can devote more time to their interests, take part in contests or performances, and improve their talents. This extended break can lead to enhanced achievements and personal growth.

Who has the shortest school day?

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 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.

How long is a school day in Japan?

In general, kids have to be at school by 8:45 am. School finishes around 3:15 pm, so they have to be in school for about six and a half hours every day from Monday to Friday. However, most kids also attend after-school clubs, and many also go to juku (cram school) in the evening to do extra studying.

What are the pros of a 4 day school week?

Should the school day be shorter?

Shorter days give students an opportunity to concentrate better, as human attention span is limited. More hours of sleep and reduced stress. When kids have spare time, they can use it to get more rest, which is crucial for brain development.