Will America switch to 4-day school week?

This time around, schools are making the switch more often with a goal of boosting teacher recruitment and retention. Four-day weeks have been adopted in almost 900 school districts nationwide, the Associated Press reported in September 2023 .

Which 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?

Is Florida doing the 4-day school week?

The new schedule will include several “four-day mini breaks strategically placed throughout the years,” the district said. The extended weekends will be held from October 12-15, 2024, February 14-17, 2025, and April 18-21, 2025.

Does 4-day school week improve mental health?

While 4-day did make an impact on average years of experience among teachers, it also made a big impact elsewhere. 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.

Why did schools in the US first bring in a 4-day school week?

In 1973, the Arab Oil Embargo caused many school districts throughout the northeastern US and across the nation to look at energy saving alternatives. Johnson (1977) reported that by switching to a four-day week, schools could save 20% on energy costs from savings in transportation and utilities.

More schools switching to 4-day week

Which states are switching to a 4 day week?

Why is 4 days of school better than 5?

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.

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.

Should schools move to a 4 day week?

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.

Is four day school week a good idea?

The research is mixed on the impact of four-day weeks on student achievement, but most studies find small to medium negative impacts on achievement on average. These negative effects are roughly equivalent to a student being two to seven weeks behind where they would have been if they had stayed on a five-day week.

Is Friday a school day in USA?

In the U.S., a typical day of high school starts at about 7:30 a.m. and ends around 3:00 p.m., Monday to Friday. Extracurricular activities are typically scheduled in the afternoons and early evenings during the school week; however, some extracurricular activities may also be scheduled on weekends.

How many states have 4 days of school?

Four-day school weeks are rapidly expanding in rural areas across the U.S. As of 2019, over 650 districts across 24 states are using this schedule — a 600% increase since 1999.

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

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).

Which country has 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 country has a 3 day weekend?

Japan's big corps venture into the four-day workweek

In 2019, tech giant Microsoft experimented with the model by offering employees three-day weekends for a month. The move boosted productivity by 40 per cent and resulted in more efficient work.

Should we abolish homework?

Some educational experts suggest that there should be hours of homework in high school, some homework in middle school, and none in elementary school. Some call for the 10-minute rule. Others say that homework doesn't work at all. It's still fairly unstudied how achievement is impacted as a result of homework.

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.

Should school hours be shorter?

According to a study by the American Academy of Pediatrics, shorter class time could also have positive effects on students' health, such as lower obesity rates, better sleep quality, and fewer mental health issues.

Why is a 4 day school week 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.

Why are longer school days bad for students?

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. Moreover, the long hours can take away from the quality of education that students are getting.

What are the negatives of a four-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.

Will California have 4-day school week?

The four-day week isn't feasible for most schools in the state. California's Education Code requires schools to hold classes five days a week or have their funding reduced.

How does a 4-day school week affect parents?

A 4-day school week affects students, teachers, parents, and school districts. A major factor for many parents is childcare on the fifth weekday. Many schools offer free childcare these days. According to Rand.org, most parents (84%) prefer a 4-day school week over the traditional five.