If a student lives an hour outside of town and have an 8am school bell to meet, then theyre on the bus at 7am. Schools are able to switch to a four-day week by simply increasing the length of their school day. They balk at the idea of kids attending schools with no summer break. The Cons of Longer School Days. Children have a six-week summer break and ten days of off every 45 days of class. 1. For the Cove School District in Eastern Oregon, the school day begins at 8am and doesnt end until 4pm. The average national cost that schools need to pay for each students bus transportation is $459. By switching to a 4-day school week, the number of transitions can be reduced because more time can be spent on each subject. This could be especially true for students who are struggling in a particular subject or for students who have a lot of homework. 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. "I get really tired throughout the day and I would love shorter school hours." 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. the fifth day, but they forget, they will still be open and running activities List of Cons of Implementing 4-Day School Weeks 1. 6. You should approach these strategies with your childs teacher instead of punishing him or her. The Trump Administrations Vindictive Attack On Federal Workers: The Shutdown Of The Office Of Special Counsel, Michigan State University College Of Law: A Top Law School, Why Union Safe Company Is The Best Choice For Protecting Your Home Or Business, The Life Of John Laurens: A Patriot Lawyer And Army Officer. The pros of year-round school Eliminating any sort of long break from school can improve a child's academic achievement. time attracting qualified applicants. 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. Wildbit, a company based in the US, a portion of whose workforce works remotely, tested the 4-day week to see whether the shorter working hours will affect employee productivity. It's almost the end of the first semester, and realizations are starting to set in. 6. The school day had to accommodate available daylight and the requirements of helping with the family farm. Their students were more focused because they were more rested, which equated to fewer classroom disruptions. by elenam112 states This means the school would be open longer, resulting in larger electrical and heating bills. Schools would need to stay open later at night for after school activities and stay open early in the morning for students who are dropped off early. Spread the loveFor the past few decades, our countrys educational system has seen both struggle and tremendous change. You wont have to run the electricity or pay for buses. Many school The school districts in New Mexico are one of the best examples of this benefit. the traditional 5th day. Even the cost savings of a total shift to a 4-day schedule may be minimal. A small portion of the districts cash is saved, but not as much as intangibles. To compare, a regular semester generally lasts 16-18 weeks. 4. Many break times have been incorporated in the calendar, such as morning recess, afternoon recess, snack time, and so on. These crimes occurred all during the week, It starts too early, ends too late, and occurs far too often. But the extra money hasn't gone into teachers' salaries, which have dropped on average from . 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. Advantage: More time for other subjects. By shifting to a 4-day schedule, it becomes easier to transport students to all after-school events and activities because there is an extra day available to plan activities without running into mandatory school times. Overall, a shorter school schedule resulted in a 7% increase in math scores and a 3% gain in reading. There will be days, even with the best efforts of everyone involved, where a student is stuck with an after-hours activity, deep into the night, after being in class for most of the day. Games occur in the evening, often on the weekend. STP every day allows students to do their schoolwork, resulting in reduced overall stress. It also means that they would have more time to mark the voluminous quantity of homework that they have to complete every night. 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. 3. You have a lifespan that is nine years less than people who graduate: Statistically, you may have a shorter lifespan than people who have gone to school and have been empowered. Year-round education (YRE) is being considered or adopted by some districts. The capital, insurance, maintenance, and administrative costs remain relatively constant. The Edvocate plans to be one of key architects of this revival, as it continues to advocate for education reform, equity, and innovation. Increase Engagement and Productivity. All rights reserved. This solution has many mixed opinions from parents, teachers and. Dr. Kelly Meier earned her doctorate from Minnesota State Mankato in Educational Leadership. Advantages Of Five Day School Week Traditional Five Day Class Week Should be Resumed Samantha, a freshman college student taking up Bachelor of Science in Nursing, values her education so much. . In Alabama, the school year lasts 180 days and the school day lasts 7.03 hours. Those human beings that seem larger than life and almost achieve Godlike status. The pros and cons of a 4-day school week offer many challenges. Less time in school could allow students the freedom to discover other interests that are fulfilling and stimulating. Changing the Moniteau County R-1 School districts schedule to a four-day week would be detrimental to students safety and involvement in activities. Shorter Classes: Depending on your school's summer schedule, you can complete a semester's worth of work in eight, five, or even three weeks. Pro: In 2004, the school day was lengthened for a Massachusetts school to address the issue of underperforming students. 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. How To Switch School Districts Without Moving? There are a few potential drawbacks to shorter school days. The final class ends 1-2 hours before the work day ends for most parents. There are potential savings to food programs and other important areas of infrastructure because the school district is closed 1 additional day each week. Although sleep is a huge and major part, it is not the only part. 2. This can be due to a lack of accessible facilities and resources, or negative attitudes and misconceptions from teachers and classmates. 2023 The Black Well Firm. It may reduce the number of discipline referrals for students. remediating them begin to take a bite out of the budget. 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. Financial problems is was most of a four day school week is about. Spread the loveAre you looking for strategies to encourage students to take care of their personal property? 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. In the standard 5-day school week, sports practices occur after school. The list just gets longer. Massachusetts, a pioneer in extended learning time (ELT), has made significant progress in this field. She studies hard, does her research and assignments, and goes to class every single day. About 20% of the states school districts incorporate a 4-day schedule of some kind. The standard requirement for schools is 180 days or an average range of 990-1080 hours. 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. This added The Pros and Cons to Longer School Days. That means half of parents will enjoy the alternative school schedule and half will hate it. There is the possibility of making up for lost time, especially those who are at a disadvantage due to the digital divide. Spread the loveBeing a teacher is a tough job. manageable in a myriad of ways. Webster County, Kentucky moved their school district to a 4-day week in 2003. Colorado has nearly three-quarters of its school districts on a four-day schedule. While state requirements vary on the number of instructional days and hours in the year, the majority of states set the school year at 180 days (30 states). One internet search reveals a wealth of opinions on both sides of the issue, and each argument sheds light on the topic. 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. Pros and Cons of a Shorter Workweek. The University of New Mexico Newsroom: Research Study Yields Unexpected Conclusion About Longer School Years. Keeping schools open five days a week is not financially feasible. Delaying school start times has been shown to have positive outcomes for students and families in overwhelming scientific research. Spread the loveBuilding a culturally responsive classroom is hard. The ability to express oneself via electives can make children happier and more cooperative in the classroom. school schedules from 5 to 4 days. The Cons. The four-day school is a phenomenon that has been sweeping across the U.S. Many of these districts are small and rural, such as Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Wyoming. According to new research, the four-day week is a popular way for parents and students to spend quality time together. That reorganization, though, and the underlying effort, will have much to do with reviving the American education system, and reviving a national love of learning. Most students in the four-day districts80 percent of high school students and 90 percent of elementary studentsspent their "off day" at home. Decreased need to re-teach skills after long vacations, allowing teachers to use classroom time more efficiently. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship. Though some people say that four days in a school week will help students in certain classes especially in math, this test only worked on 4th and 5th graders. Student performance may improve with a 4-day school week. Lets face it our best school memories arent from tests or pop quizzes. Spread the loveOne of the questions that I am frequently asked is, what does a good teacher look like? When Friday rolls around each week during the school year, many parents face the same situation. 2. Some school districts have reported saving 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 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. Potential for juvenile crime to increase. There are a variety of health issues that can be caused by a lack of sleep. Revisiting Using Edtech for Bullying and Suicide Prevention. At the same time, the constant back-and-forth for students limits the amount of fun they can have. During recess, limit the number of games or activities that students can participate in. Alexander Alvarez, Reporter November 16, 2021. There are potential reductions in the financial costs of running a school district. The Chattooga County School District reported similar results from their trial with this schedule as well. Con: A lengthened school day may impede upon extracurricular activities, especially in secondary education. Also, since special populations fare poorly in this configuration, the costs of Data is an important variable if youre considering the longer school days pros and cons list. The decision to implement such a schedule must therefore be handled at the local level. 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. 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. 4 Day School Week Pros and Cons. Delaying school start times will assist students in developing the skills required to reach their full potential. Spread the loveThis term describes a manner of classifying gifted students to place them in properly segmented classrooms. According to a Center for American Progress study, traditional school schedules are out of sync with the current economic environment. 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. Employment opportunities with a 3-day weekend are increasing. 1. 4-day school weeks add Another is that shorter days could lead to shorter attention spans in classrooms. Schools across the country offer extended learning hours. The evaluated skills include science, math, and reading. Getting to school on-time or making it out for the bus is a constant battle. Du Bois Essay Topics to Write about, Most Interesting Volvo Essay Topics to Write about, is a phenomenon that has been sweeping across the U.S. In the United States, $17.5 billion each year is spent on school bus transportation. Florida's inflation-adjusted education spending per student has roughly doubled in the last 30 years -- to $7,473 in 2000-01. Find out about families that swap a shorter summer break for learning time that's more continuous. In 2007-2008, the United States had an average school day of 6.64 hours per day, and an average school year of 180 days. Students can adjust to the new schedule. Others believe that lengthening the school day is an expensive endeavor that wont yield substantial results. One is that it would likely mean that teachers would have to teach more classes, which could lead to burnout. If a longer lunch allows high school students to leave campus, they might opt for unhealthy fast-food options; on the other hand, this extended time might allow them to seek out healthier dishes than those available in the cafeteria. Their child is at home while they are at work, which is problematic for parents of younger children. Sometimes, schools are forced to travel during the school week to play some games or attend certain events. The Agrarian calendar is rooted in the past. At my school, class went from 8:15 a.m. until 4:15 p.m. about an hour or two longer than a typical five-day-week school's day. Spread the loveAre you looking for ways to teach students to take care of their personal property? These school districts are typically in isolated regions, are rural, and have a student body that is fewer than 500 students. Too Early to Tell Many school districts still operate Monday-Friday, even on a 4-day week. After 12 hours of being away from home, students struggle to find time to study during the 4-day school week. There are improvements in the school financially. Arlene Ackerman says she and her students don't have the strength to teach or learn near the end of the school day. The Advantages and Disadvantages of Extended School Days. Students feel less pressure because they have more time to study at their own pace at home, especially in the later grades. School districts save money. Students are still getting the same amount of instruction in terms of minutes, just in a shorter number of days. Students are engaged more fully when their school schedule is expanded, and they learn more efficiently when they are exposed to a more stimulating environment. Pro: An extended school day provides more time for students to learn and the possibility of providing individualized attention for students in need. I am glad that you asked. Each community has unique needs which must be met, so there is the possibility of a 4-day week being useful to some districts, but not others. More than 80% of people in the UK would prefer a four day working week, according to a survey in 2021 by recruitment company Reed. The school day is too long. Public school everything for schoolchildren and students. A potential decline in academic performance for vulnerable groups. According to ASCD, many disciplinary issues that students face come from scheduled transitions. School districts save money. Out of a budget of $5.5 million, they saved $206,000. These will be some pros of a four day school week. Christmas and Spring holiday weeks may be extended as well. There are numerous advantages and disadvantages to each. Students attending a 4-day school schedule may have requirements for their education that fall outside of the normal work schedule for their parents. 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. Some schools do not allow recess to be used as punishment, while others may do so on a case-by-case basis. On the plus side, employees love it. This may not seem like a lot, but when you factor in homework and after-school activities, it can be a lot for a student to handle. Teachers would be required to reimagine their curriculum and would need extra time to develop a curriculum to fit an expanded day. 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. Some of the pros of year-round schooling include: 1 . Such as emotional and behavioral problems, violence, depression, alcohol use, impaired cognitive function, etc. The disadvantage is that more time does not equate to more learning. Another is that shorter days could lead to shorter attention spans in classrooms. A poll where 2,700 random people were polled about 67% favoured a 4 day school week(university of Scranton). Pro: An extended school day provides more flexibility for parents, eliminating the need for after-school care.