Why switch to a 4 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 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.

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.

Do teachers like four day school week?

Do They Work? Four-day school weeks are increasingly being offered as a way to recruit teachers, but the research is mixed on the advantages and disadvantages of the schedule. Now some states are reconsidering it.

What are the mental benefits of a 4 day school week?

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.

More schools switching to 4-day week

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

Does a 4 day school week reduce stress?

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

Are 4 day school weeks better?

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.

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.

How do teachers feel about 4 day school weeks?

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.

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 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.

Should school days be shorter pros?

One of the arguments in favor of shorter school days is that they could increase the efficiency and effectiveness of instructional time, as teachers and students would be more focused and motivated during the limited hours of class. It could also reduce the associated cost of childcare.

What are the benefits of shorter school days?

Why should schools abolish homework?

Therefore, eliminating homework would provide students with more leisure time, enabling them to rest up and perform at their highest level in class. Additionally, students will not grow overwhelmed due to the immense workload and the stress of doing well. School serves as an exceedingly crucial time in a child's life.

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.

Do any countries have a four 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?

How popular is a 4 day work week?

A four-day workweek is more popular among full-time workers than remote and hybrid work. 81% of the full-time workforce support a four-day workweek. 64% prefer fully remote work and 68% prefer hybrid work, as opposed to fully in-person work.

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.

What are the disadvantages of longer school days?

Longer school days could result in attention deficit and fatigue, making the extra class time ineffective. When students are too tired or mentally exhausted to concentrate, the last hour of the day becomes useless.

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.

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.

What are the benefits of a 4 day school week UK?

Students spent more time on school sports, on chores, and on spending time with their families, the study found. They also had more time for sleep, and spent more time on hobbies and homework. A four day school week not only benefits the students but also the teachers.

How do longer school days affect mental health?

The amount of homework that students are expected to do in these schools is also a cause for concern. With such long hours, the students are often left with little to no time to complete their homework and this can lead to a lot of stress and anxiety.

How does a four day work week affect mental health?

It Reduces Stress and Burnout

The primary mental health benefit of a 4-day work week is the reduction in continuous work pressure. The UK's Four-Day Week Pilot, a 2022 trial program involving 61 companies and around 2,900 employees, assessed the benefits of a 4-day work week.