Finally, some parents worry that shorter days could mean that their children would have less . On the other hand, there have been studies that found no significant difference in overall academic achievement between four-day districts and five-day districts. It was suggested that a combination of four-week summer holidays and a school day finishing at 4:30pm would lead to improvements in pupil attainment. The average length of the K-12 school day is 8:30 to 3:00, engaging U.S. students in school for 6.64 hours a day over the span of 180 school days. This means students in a district with this alternative schedule get out later for the holidays than students on the traditional Monday-Friday schedule. This extra hour can make the day pretty long especially for younger students, which can often lead to a loss of focus later in the day. Fuel, oil, salaries, and supervisory costs can be, A lot of parents are shaking their heads at the consideration of a four-day school week, and a longer school day. Shortening the School Day | Education - Seattle PI 1. Staying at school for the majority of the day isn't allowing me . Four Day School Week: The Pros And Cons - HonorsGradU Extending the school day is a hot topic for educational policy making bodies. Second, it would allow students to get more sleep, which is important for their health and well-being. Should the school day start later pros and cons? The four-day arrangement gives opportunity for students to work an extra day at an after-school job, participate in volunteer activities, or pursue further educational goals by taking advantage of the extra day. Working a couple of hours after school gains experience and disposable income. This is a big con for me, as sacrificing the futures of our most vulnerable students is not worth the trivial benefits of 4-day school weeks. Not only would this give everyone a 3-day weekend to enjoy, it would also limit the pressure on students and teachers to have a diversified learning experience in a compressed time period. It also means that students face more daily seat time, in exchange for a 3-day weekend which may not materialize with their after-school commitments. Saving on utilities school buses, and long term building wear and tear. An eight-hour day is pretty undesirable for elementary-aged kids. The Chattooga County School District in Georgia shifted to a 4-day school week. Many school They can supervise their children at the bus stop in rural districts as well. Spread the loveBeing a teacher is a tough job. When students are too tired or mentally exhausted to concentrate at the end of the day, the last hour becomes meaningless. The idea has been to cut hours while keeping pay the same. It was a kneejerk response to dwindling education budgets and the belief that schools could save a ton of money by operating Monday through Thursday, which in theory would lower their operating expenses. Advantages of a Shorter Work Week People who work a four-day week say they're healthier, happier, and less time-pressured, according to a report in The Atlantic - and their employers say their employees are much more focused and efficient. They were located in 7 western states in the U.S. and all but 13 of them identified themselves as being a rural school district. Changing school start times will increase attendance and money brought in. One is that it would likely mean that teachers would have to teach more classes, which could lead to burnout. First, it would give students more time to focus on their homework and studies outside of school. Spread the loveThis program assesses 15-year-old students schooling in countries that form part of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. She studies hard, does her research and assignments, and goes to class every single day. In-depth consultation between all constituents reveals the pros and cons of extended school days. While some research has shown that increasing the amount of time spent in class can boost student accomplishment, these findings have been influenced by factors such as the classroom atmosphere, the quality of instruction, and students prior knowledge and abilities. On the plus side, employees love it. Weekend sporting events make it easier to get students to them, especially when they are an away event, because the school day doesnt interfere on a Friday. Third, shorter days could reduce the amount of time that students spend on the bus or in the car, which would save money and reduce pollution. It has been so problematic that in Colorado, some urban districts which switched to a 4-day school week have gone back to the traditional scheduling instead. Pros & Cons of Longer School Lunches | livestrong With the long break of summer, many people prefer the short breaks of year round schools. Some of the pros of year-round schooling include: 1 . Children have more time to participate in other activities that help them learn more. As with any innovation, shorter workweeks have advantages and disadvantages. Many schools are, in fact, offering year-round services now to accommodate the changing needs of their communities. Student performance may improve with a 4-day school week. 3. 5. This added 2. Pros. The Anecdotal evidence also suggests that attendance improves; parents and teachers can schedule doctor's appointments and other weekday commitments for Fridays rather than during school days. The school districts in New Mexico are one of the best examples of this benefit. Accidents, absences, and absences all fall on the decline, and students academic performance rises. Many of these schools are already operating on an alternative schedule because that is what works best for their community. 2. Some research indicates there may be slight academic benefits to extending the school day. The school day had to accommodate available daylight and the requirements of helping with the family farm. Students in a 4-day school week are packing 180 days into a condensed 145-day schedule. According to him, providing education to all would be beneficial to society. The Pros of Longer School Days More Time for Instruction The number one reason for lengthening the school day is to provide teachers with more time for instruction. the traditional 5th day. 2023 The Black Well Firm. The National School Board Association estimates that approximately 135,000 guns are brought to America's 85,000 public schools each day. List of the Advantages of 4-Day School Weeks 1. If young kids are too weary to concentrate or perform well in class, they may experience weariness or fall asleep during class time. If practicums can be included with small group discussions, the retention rate can top 90% for some students. The average national cost that schools need to pay for each students bus transportation is $459. To avoid this issue, many school districts have considered shifting to a 4-day school week. There were also reduced sick days requested by their teaching staff. In 2006, a study by Yarbrough and Gilman found that teachers working in a 5-day school schedule reported that they have a lot of wasted time. 1. When busing and after-school activities are included in that timeframe as well, some older students may find themselves putting in 12-hour days at school every day. The longer school days of a 4-day week make it almost impossible for teens to find a job after school. In the standard 5-day school week, sports practices occur after school. So it is illogical to think that a four day week will help other grade levels. The decision to implement such a schedule must therefore be handled at the local level. Because the four-day school week has only been around for a decade or so, we simply dont have enough time, data, or research to make a definitive declaration. Longer school days may lead to attention deficit and fatigue, making the extra class time ineffective. There are some drawbacks to shorter school days, as well. When the new school day was implemented, the system was relieved of the need to cram math, reading, and science into a short period of time, allowing for more time to be spent on subjects that students enjoy and teachers enjoy. Schools across the country offer extended learning hours. The final class ends 1-2 hours before the work day ends for most parents. Obesity, anxiety and stress, as well as lower grades, can all be attributed to a lack of sleep, according to the National Sleep Foundation. Parents can drop-off their kids in the morning, then pick them up in the afternoon, without worrying about work. That means the students in those districts have better opportunities to learn. Increasing the length of school days may result in attention deficit and exhaustion, making the additional class time inefficient. Older students can spend time engaging in resum-building public service or paid work. The four-day school is a phenomenon that has been sweeping across the U.S. time attracting qualified applicants. 4 Day School Week Statistics: Pros and Cons Debate - CreditDonkey Spread the loveAre you looking for ways to teach students to take care of their personal property? Imagine a school year that gave the students one week off after every quarter and every Friday off. The driving force behind the proposal to lengthen the school day is the assertion that more instructional time would yield greater academic gains. Teacher time will be increased when the school day is extended, allowing them to spend more time with pupils and to concentrate on problem areas and more challenging content. Some students believe that having a four-day school week allows them to get more rest and to be in a less stressful atmosphere than they would otherwise have. Our general school hours run from 9 am - 2 pm, with extra . While small gains were made in reading, math and writing, there were no statistically significant results for children in the areas of receptive language, social skills or vocabulary. Five-day schools still have the edge in many districts Despite the fact that many districts have seen their test scores make a substantial leap, there are some five-day schools that are still outpacing them academically. Students usually go to school about 6 hours each day in most districts. Colorado has nearly three-quarters of its school districts on a four-day schedule. That reduces the effective time they would have for homework once they actually make it home. When teachers operate under time constraints, in high-pressure situations, then they typically default to a lecture-based teaching style. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, students are less active when they are not allowed to recess during the school day due to bad classroom behavior. Why is year round school better? Explained by Sharing Culture Some school districts have reported saving Many school districts still operate Monday-Friday, even on a 4-day week. How do longer school days affect students? The Cons. The school days are spread more evenly over the year, with more frequent short breaks and the absence of a 10-12 week summer break. But the extra money hasn't gone into teachers' salaries, which have dropped on average from . This schedule works much better for parents, who often have that working schedule themselves. It lists the advantages of the four-day model as: Improved morale and fewer absences: A shorter working week leads to less burnout, making staff happier and more focused in . Spread the loveBuilding a culturally responsive classroom is hard. Does precision really make a program successful? The very thought of sending kids to school year-round makes some parents cringe. They need a shorter school day so they can have more time to relax and play. How would it sound if school weeks were only four days long and, in doing that, it saved your school money at the same time? Financial problems is was most of a four day school week is about. 4-Day School Weeks: New Research Examines the Benefits and Drawbacks Sports schedules are easier to manage. It is encouraged for students to try new things in order to benefit from them. Just 11 of the districts had enrollments of more than 1,000 students. (Solution). Although families benefit from the 3-day weekend and those scheduling benefits, the non-traditional time off given to students can offset some of that savings. This can be due to a lack of accessible facilities and resources, or negative attitudes and misconceptions from teachers and classmates. The disadvantage is that more time does not equate to more learning. For some, a 4-day week makes perfect sense. Students usually go to school about 6 hours each day in most districts. After analyzing Colorado schools operating on four-day school weeks, (Dam) reports that transportation costs can be reduced by 20%. Students already feel like their school day is too long. The Edvocate plans to be one of key architects of this revival, as it continues to advocate for education reform, equity, and innovation. However, disabled students often face additional challenges in accessing education and achieving academic success. Would a later school schedule be beneficial? There are a few potential drawbacks to shorter school days. School administration, associates with principal office also went down. 10 Reasons Why School Days Should Not Be Shorter? (TOP 5 Tips) We were able to build a strong community and school consensus as a result of our programs success. Schools may even have to purchase lights for after school activities. The school day could be shortened to give children and teenagers more time for movement, brain breaks, and other activities that have been shown to increase learning outcomes. Christmas and Spring holiday weeks may be extended as well. It may eliminate common holidays, such as Memorial Day or Labor Day, from the schedule. The Chattooga County School District in Georgia shifted to a 4-day school week. There are many financial benefits from a 4 day school week.With only 4 days in a week, that is one less day theschool has to pay for lunches . Companies have been experimenting with shorter work days for at least a decade and, despite announcements that the 40-hour week is dead, there have been mixed results from the experiments. Time of day effects may be induced by variations in the quality of instructors instruction, changes in the learning abilities of students, or differences in student attendance patterns. Pros and cons of a four day working week. Cons of a Longer School Day Does Not Ensure Higher Achievement Some studies have been done that show that longer instruction time can improve achievement, but those results depend on things like classroom environment, quality of instruction, student prior knowledge and ability. Should schools go to a 4 day school week instead of 5 days? Also, since special populations fare poorly in this configuration, the costs of Other pros and cons exist in the school lunch debate. One is that it would likely mean that teachers would have to teach more classes, which could lead to burnout. All rights reserved. 4. 2. Research has shown that in this configuration, students who are low-income, minority, or special needs dont fare too well academically. Shorter class durations allow students to enroll in a variety of courses. Your email address will not be published. The districts which offer the 4-day work week receive more applications and more qualified applicants than the other school districts. The school also doesn't have to pay anyone that is on an hourly schedule. The pros and cons of year-round school - Care.com Resources The Edvocate was created in 2014 to argue for shifts in education policy and organization in order to enhance the quality of education and the opportunities for learning afforded to P-20 students in America. Lets face it our best school memories arent from tests or pop quizzes. Do students learn better in shorter classes? Pros And Cons Of A Four-Day School Week - The Odyssey Online 15 Major Pros and Cons of Early School Start Times Defining Moments Are What Make Good School Leaders Great, Year-Round Schooling: How it Affects Students, Why you need a multi-tiered behavioral support approach, Understanding Strategy and Strategic Leadership, Teaching & Learning Strategies, Concepts, and Terms That Every Teacher Must Know: Letters DIA-DIG, First-Year Teachers: 4 Reasons You Need a Mentor Right Now, 18 Reasons the U.S. Education System is Failing, The Top 5 Unexpected Benefits of Early Childhood Education. From Disabled and $500k in Debt to a Pro Blogger with 5 Million Monthly Visitors, 20 Major Pros and Cons of a 4 Day School Week, 21 Best SMART Goals Examples for Teachers and Educators, "From Disabled and $500k in Debt to a Pro Blogger with 5 Million Monthly Visitors. 6-7. Over the course of their first year on this new schedule, they reported that the frequency of discipline referrals for their students dropped by 73%. The University of New Mexico Newsroom: Research Study Yields Unexpected Conclusion About Longer School Years. Having well-rested and happy employees can increase their overall work engagement and productivity. Advantage: More time for other subjects. Rural school districts and small school districts benefit the most from a 4-day schedule because of their natural isolation. The school day is too long. Students spend less time on the bus. A three-day weekend allows for extra leisure time, as well as a reduction in commute and energy usage. Con: School districts across the U.S. are struggling to make ends meet. SHORTER SCHOOL DAYS Science Leadership Academy @ Center City Additionally student involvement and safety would suffer. Shorter Workweek: Pros and Cons for Employee Productivity The Advantages and Disadvantages of Extended School Days Advantage: More time to devote to learning. Over the last century, humans have acquired a staggering amount of knowledge and understanding. The four-day week, according to the research, is far more cost-effective than the traditional five-day week. In many cases, it is in the best interests of students to reduce costs and have minimal impact on instruction. Four day school weeks are becoming a necessity for some rural school districts that lack funding. According to the majority of the researchers, the inconclusive results do not imply that decisions to change schedules should be made based on test scores. Moving to the 4-day schedule shifts student movement patterns, reducing the number of lost transition minutes. Even the cost savings of a total shift to a 4-day schedule may be minimal. Rural school districts find the greatest benefit in this area. 10 Longer School Days Pros and Cons - Vittana.org A 4 day work week would promote an equal workplace as employees would be able to spend more time with their families and better juggle care and work commitments. Should the school week be shortened to 4 days? - Wise-Answer Kids already spend a very long time each week in the school and away from their family. Shortening the school day can give kids and teens more time for movement, brain breaks, and other activities that have been shown to improve learning outcomes, among other benefits.. With more room to move and less worry about following the rules in class, kids can be better equipped to focus when needed. Increasing the length of school days may result in attention deficit and exhaustion, rendering the additional class time unproductive. Pro: An extended school day provides more flexibility for parents, eliminating the need for after-school care. The 4-day schedule eliminates one full driving day for the transportation department. In YRE, the number of days in school equals the number of days in a calendar year (180 days). districts think they will save tons of money by cutting operational costs on The Pros and Cons of a Four-Day School Week - SchoolMoney.org Those against extended lunches might argue . According to The Notebook, longer school days add to low energy and exhaustion. These crimes occurred all during the week, Why did they switch to 4-day school weeks? Why should school weeks be shorter? It is also good for teachers and the whole school. There are many changes with switching the school days. The length of the school day in China varies from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. With a shortened school day, the amount of instructional time would be reduced. What they discovered was unexpected. Here are some additional key points to think about when looking at the pros and cons of a 4-day school week. The Pros and Cons of a Shortened School Schedule Every issue has its good and bad bits, and the same is true for districts making the switch to a shortened school week. The Rochester City Council established the Extended Learning Time initiative as part of Rochesters ongoing commitment to education. Many companies have found that when workers are able to work a schedule which suits their needs, letting them work how they like, then their workers are more productive. The pros and cons of schools ditching a long summer break The Pros and Cons of Longer vs. Shorter Trips. One is that students might not have enough time to receive all the instruction they need in a particular subject. Dr. Meier is is a regular contributor for The Equity Network and has worked in education for more than 30 years. This has been a hot topic especially the states that dont have as large of an economy. When I was a teacher, many moons ago, this was a fringe schooling schedule only practiced by rural school districts. Those changes happen because students who are active participants in their learning have more fun in school. Theyre from moments we remember having fun, whether that was in the classroom, the playground, or the athletics field. The list just gets longer. However, there are advantages and disadvantages associated with shortening the school day that should be considered before sweeping action is taken to alter the traditional school day. over 1 million dollars on utilities, busing, and labor costs. Increases student attendance. All rights reserved. Too Early to Tell A story on the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's website said: That additional day can also be used for staff development time instead of taking away a school day to do so. Oklahoma Department of Education examined the economic effect of going to a Con: A lengthened school day may impede upon extracurricular activities, especially in secondary education. The trade-off for a shorter week is a longer school day. teams may need to practice, professional development sessions may convene, etc. What are the pros and cons of shorter school week? Most schools, when Year Round Schooling: Should it Be Implemented? About 20% of the states school districts incorporate a 4-day schedule of some kind. Another is that shorter days could lead to shorter attention spans in classrooms. The Cons of Longer School Days. When implemented, however, 1st graders do just as well as teens with the expanded schedule and 3-day weekend. 1. When it comes to school, we most likely understand what its like to go to school all year. Spread the loveThe Talent Search Initiative has as its aim; the identification of high-performing students by organizing specific tests. They may also experience irritability and fatigue. What we envisage may not be the most straightforward or the most conventional ideas. These 300 would have to find some alternative to school on Fridays if the Moniteau County R-1 School Districts schedule changed from a five day week to a four day week. Does this sound exciting and rich with possibilities? School Days Should Be Shorter: Persuasive Essay My main concern is that most kids will not be able to focus by the end of the day because the school days will be longer,and so there would be no point in trying to teach at the end of the day. Administrative staff are required to be on-site, sports In 2022, companies in the U.K., the U.S., and Canada instituted a four-day workweek pilot program to test the concept. Traditional vs. At the same time, teacher attendance rates also rose, which is a trend still seen in these districts, 20+ years later. If so, keep reading. The school districts may operate classes Monday-Thursday on a 4-day week (or Tuesday-Friday in some instances), but they are still operational from an administrative standpoint on the off-day. It almost forces some families into taking their vacation time from work during these holidays to accommodate the needs of their children. In Lexington, Oregon, Morrow County was able to save about $250,000 their first year, but out of a budget of $14 million. Four day school weeks may not be a realistic situation for all schools throughout the nation, but for those that it is possible, the four day school week saves money, improves test scores, and further improves the school as a whole. Webster County, Kentucky moved their school district to a 4-day week in 2003. 1. Some schools even require students to have the belt line exposed at all times for fear of guns concealed under clothing. The basic assumption of a 4 day work week is fulfilling the duties in a shorter amount of time, instead of the usual five-day workweek and receiving the same pay. At the same time, the constant back-and-forth for students limits the amount of fun they can have. Despite the fact that a few studies have recently been published, there is no significant research on the four-day school week. Schools benefit from shorter school day - Chapin Chronicle That means half of parents will enjoy the alternative school schedule and half will hate it. The class periods would probably be over an hour long but longer school days is a must if you for sure have four day weeks. To be competitive in a global market, students need to be exposed to a wide variety of subject matter. They dont usually run wild on the last day of school, instead working, making phone calls, or spending time with family. The schedule change also shifted how teachers assigned homework, making it more efficient and focused. Although sleep is a huge and major part, it is not the only part. When teachers are more effective and efficient, student performance follows a similar pattern. Students attending a 4-day school schedule may have requirements for their education that fall outside of the normal work schedule for their parents. Those that had implemented the alternative scheduling found that student attendance could rise by more than 20. How does it impact your success? Changing the times could increase attendance by 1%, which could bring in $40 million more. Who Sang For Troy In High School Musical? 4. 10 Main Pros and Cons of 4 Day School Weeks - Green Garage There are potential reductions in the financial costs of running a school district. The Pros and Cons of Taking Summer Classes Students feel less pressure because they have more time to study at their own pace at home, especially in the later grades. If you want to avoid withholding recess as punishment, consider rewarding yourself rather than punishing yourself, such as rewarding yourself with extra recess for good behavior. One of the primary motivations for adopting the four-day week is financial savings for the school district. The Pros and Cons of a Four-Day School Week - ThoughtCo Which one is the best? As a result, students dont have to miss school to help out.
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