The trade-off for a shorter week is a longer school day. The driving force behind the proposal to lengthen the school day is the assertion that more instructional time would yield greater academic gains. If schools only had one day off per week, millions of dollars would be saved. In comparison to 2007, the number of public schools that offer year-round programs has increased by 26%. 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. Compacting school into just four days a week leaves more time for kids to spend with family, friends and outside interests. Students are still getting the same amount of instruction in terms of minutes, just in a shorter number of days. That means one of the biggest expenses for the district is immediately cut by 20%. Despite the fact that a few studies have recently been published, there is no significant research on the four-day school week. But just because the final bell rang doesnt mean that youre done. Most parents have employment which requires them to be present for 8 hours per day, 5 days per week. Kuss Middle School in Fall River, Mass., has risen from a Level 5 to a Level 1 after implementing extended learning time. When larger school districts attempt this kind of schedule, they find few, if any, benefits coming from their actions. Moving to the 4-day schedule shifts student movement patterns, reducing the number of lost transition minutes. Some schools do not allow recess to be used as punishment, while others may do so on a case-by-case basis. Rural families experience the greatest impacts from the 4-day school week. More rest then equates to dealing with less stress over the course of a school year. Increasing the length of school days may result in attention deficit and exhaustion, making the additional class time inefficient. The pros and cons of a 4-day school week offer many challenges. Rural school districts find the greatest benefit in this area. Thats two hours of lost time for farm chores, homework, or other responsibilities that rural families have more often than urban or suburban families. Additional learning time as well as improved schedule alignment would make the lives of families noticeably more pleasant. 5. time attracting qualified applicants. Sacrifices Family Time. According to a Center for American Progress study, traditional school schedules are out of sync with the current economic environment. For some, a 4-day week makes perfect sense. One school said that they have saved a teacher in diesel fuel costs (chiaramonte 2 ). A longer school day would involve substantial funding for teacher salaries and facility maintenance. Students can adjust to the new schedule. 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. Sports schedules are easier to manage. School districts save money. For school districts struggling with funding issues, the potential savings here could save the budget. 1. . Con: School districts across the U.S. are struggling to make ends meet. Shorter class durations allow students to enroll in a variety of courses. Pros and cons of shorter work weeks. Data from the National Association of Year-Round Education . Changing school start times will increase attendance and money brought in. We call for a relatively radical and certainly quite comprehensive reorganization of Americas P-20 system. Shifting to this schedule does have certain disadvantages, especially for working parents. That also means some families, with children who are old enough, can eliminate daycare expenses completely with this type of scheduling option. Delaying school start times will assist students in developing the skills required to reach their full potential. Another is that shorter days could lead to shorter attention spans in classrooms. NEA Today: A 9 to 5 School Day: Are Longer Hours Better for Students and Educators? Pros And Cons Of Five Day School Week 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. 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. Easier to recruit employees. Some of the pros of year-round schooling include: 1 . There are numerous advantages and disadvantages to each. You should approach these strategies with your childs teacher instead of punishing him or her. The school districts in New Mexico are one of the best examples of this benefit. It also means that certain holiday vacations, such as Thanksgiving, are extended to a full week, and that can be a scheduling concern for many families. STP every day allows students to do their schoolwork, resulting in reduced overall stress. This schedule cycles consistently throughout the year while making minor adjustments for major holidays and teacher workdays. All rights reserved. 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. There are a few potential drawbacks to shorter school days. Lets face it our best school memories arent from tests or pop quizzes. In the United States, $17.5 billion each year is spent on school bus transportation. With the long break of summer, many people prefer the short breaks of year round schools. The Edvocate plans to be one of key architects of this revival, as it continues to advocate for education reform, equity, and innovation. For non year-round schools the dropout rate is 5%, which is more than all year-round schools. Many school Which one is the best? 2. Advantage: More time to devote to learning. Eleven states set the minimum number of instructional days between 160 and 179 days, and two states set the minimum above 180 days (Kansas and Ohio). Savings on school buses and long-term building wear and tear have also been reported. There is a variety of emotional and behavioral problems, depression, alcohol use, and impaired cognitive function that can contribute to this. Additional costs savings from a shorter day include less . But others are worried about when kids should be in school. the fifth day, but they forget, they will still be open and running activities Another is that shorter days could lead to shorter attention spans in classrooms. Long school days can cause eating problems for students who don't eat at school, or who use up all their energy while learning. Students usually go to school about 6 hours each day in most districts. But the extra money hasn't gone into teachers' salaries, which have dropped on average from . Cutting that by 20% means a savings of $4 billion, if implemented nationwide. Then ask the superintendent of the school district to consider year round school with only four days per week.First, students would not forget what they learned over the long summer. If you ask the average kid what they think about school, youll get a very honest answer: Its boring. From K-12, it can be difficult for students to stay engaged in the classroom during a 5-day school week. It might help school districts save money. The list just gets longer. Schools are able to switch to a four-day week by simply increasing the length of their school day. It is critical to maintain a consistent schedule and not change it on a weekly basis in order to give students the best chance of success. I believe that if we go to a four day school week that it would help the kids physically, mentally, and financially. Despite these difficulties, many disabled students go on to lead successful and fulfilling lives. It was Mann who founded the first public school in the United States and is widely regarded as the Father of the Public School System. What are some arguments for ending school at 8 hours? The article Should School Stay Earlier? The Massachusetts Expanded Learning Time Initiative has already benefited 19 schools and over 10,000 students. 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. Do students learn better in shorter classes? Good for working parents: This would lead to less wraparound care for working . 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. In some situations, a single teacher may be responsible for over 100 students. Most students, especially younger ones, find that the traditional school schedule is already too long. One is that students might not have enough time to receive all the instruction they need in a particular subject. There are many changes with switching the school days. Practices for sports are still held on the fifth day, as are teacher conferences, staff development opportunities, and required janitorial work. Their child is at home while they are at work, which is problematic for parents of younger children. There are various school days in the United States. Spread the loveThis term describes a manner of classifying gifted students to place them in properly segmented classrooms. The benefits are many. This provided the teacher with more freedom with curriculum and time management. 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. In YRE, the number of days in school equals the number of days in a calendar year (180 days). 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. In many cases, it is in the best interests of students to reduce costs and have minimal impact on instruction. A 4-day school week is misleading. Spread the loveBeing a teacher is a tough job. Less time in school could allow students the freedom to discover other interests that are fulfilling and stimulating. Some research indicates there may be slight academic benefits to extending the school day. remediating them begin to take a bite out of the budget. The most popular is a 32-hour work week, which means people work 8 hours per day, 4 hours in a week. In 1995, 84 school districts were studied that had already implemented a 4-day school week. Four day school weeks are becoming a necessity for some rural school districts that lack funding. In addition, they are given a week off for major holidays and 2 weeks of summer vacation at their parents discretion. Very Costly. Your email address will not be published. The districts on the 4-day school week are finding it easier to recruit for the staff they need because they offer the prospect of a 3-day weekend during the school year. 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? Should the school day start later pros and cons? 6. Although sleep is a huge and major part, it is not the only part. 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. Sometimes even starting school earlier in the . 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. This schedule works much better for parents, who often have that working schedule themselves. When looking at the benefits of a longer school year, the opportunity for expanding subject matter and the individualized needs of students are factors. These school districts are typically in isolated regions, are rural, and have a student body that is fewer than 500 students. Along with giving kids more time to concentrate on critical activities, a shortened school day would also provide pupils with more opportunity to relax. After 12 hours of being away from home, students struggle to find time to study during the 4-day school week. 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. Shorter, intense courses in which a semesters worth of content is delivered at an expedited rate were deemed to be more successful by students in a recent study by academics at the University of Texas at Austin. Anticipated savings are in transportation, food and food service workers, hourly workers and utilities. Others believe that lengthening the school day is an expensive endeavor that wont yield substantial results. Why should school weeks be shorter? Theyre from moments we remember having fun, whether that was in the classroom, the playground, or the athletics field. Schools are facing many issues today. Revisiting Using Edtech for Bullying and Suicide Prevention. Spread the loveTeachers need to realize that at home, in their neighborhoods, and in school, many students face difficulties that can interfere with learning. Harvest times were set in the old way and still are when most school calendars are set up, when the United States was a farm country. It almost forces some families into taking their vacation time from work during these holidays to accommodate the needs of their children. In In the United States, about 50% of all companies are either offering or thinking about offering a 4-day workweek for their workers. The major pros and cons of a 4-day school week suggest that it can save money for districts, which means taxpayers benefit. In 1095or in 1905, depending on your sourcesRoberto Nevelis of Venice, Italy, is often credited with inventing the concept of homework. The majority of these are found in the western United States, including Oregon, Montana, Idaho, Colorado, and Oklahoma, Thompson said. In 2009, there were 3,000 schools in the United States operating on a year-round basis. 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. Students already feel like their school day is too long. The reason why school districts are going to a 4 day school week is to save money and the states that you see switching to a 4 days are states that have economic problems such as Oklahoma. Another potential drawback is that shorter school days could lead to more after-school activities, which could be a problem for working parents. Other Debates. Since students receive dedicated 1:1 teaching for all core subjects, they don't need to bother spending time on topics that aren't on their instructional level. The Oakridge School District in Oregon reported that their test scores improved when they shifted to this alternative schedule as well. The Advantages and Disadvantages of Extended School Days. List of the Major Cons of a 4-Day School Week 1. Increase Engagement and Productivity. Those against extended lunches might argue . document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Signup for The Edvocate Newsletter and have the latest in P-20 education news and opinion delivered to your email address! So it is illogical to think that a four day week will help other grade levels. Programs like student tutoring or sports, teacher/parent meetings, staff development, and building maintenance still happen on the fifth day, which negates many of the cost-savings opportunities that the 4-day schedule appears to offer. Arlene Ackerman says she and her students don't have the strength to teach or learn near the end of the school day. That reduces the effective time they would have for homework once they actually make it home. Out of a budget of $5.5 million, they saved $206,000. As with any innovation, shorter workweeks have advantages and disadvantages. There tends to be less student exhaustion, which allows them to focus more on the learning process. Most school districts are sticking to the 5-day schedule. Spread the loveApplying for admission to professional and graduate schools is no less competitive than college/undergraduate admissions. 1. Many schools are, in fact, offering year-round services now to accommodate the changing needs of their communities. 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. But recently, there has been a move towards shorter weeks across the United States. Teachers have more time to prepare lessons and collaborate during the day. More time to focus on mental health In the typical K-12 schooling model, mental health education is too often shunted aside. There were also reduced sick days requested by their teaching staff. 3. Children have a six-week summer break and ten days of off every 45 days of class. Finally, some parents worry that shorter days could mean that their children would have less . Required fields are marked *, on Why School Days Should Be Shorter? Our individualized learning setup at the Tenney School allows us to offer more instruction in a shorter amount of time. Easier to recruit employees. Also, since special populations fare poorly in this configuration, the costs of Better sleep: Delayed start time could help teens sleep during . If she is not receptive to your suggestions, you may want to get a doctors note stating that recess is required. There are some drawbacks to shorter school days, as well. Read the Full Transcript Judy Woodruff: For many American students and. Data is an important variable if youre considering the longer school days pros and cons list. Pros of the 4-day School Week. 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. For the parents of younger students, an additional full day of daycare may need to be scheduled every week instead of a partial day. 18 Major Advantages and Disadvantages of the Payback Period, 20 Advantages and Disadvantages of Leasing a Car, 19 Advantages and Disadvantages of Debt Financing, 24 Key Advantages and Disadvantages of a C Corporation, 16 Biggest Advantages and Disadvantages of Mediation, 18 Advantages and Disadvantages of a Gated Community, 17 Big Advantages and Disadvantages of Focus Groups, 17 Key Advantages and Disadvantages of Corporate Bonds, 19 Major Advantages and Disadvantages of Annuities, 17 Biggest Advantages and Disadvantages of Advertising. Does this sound exciting and rich with possibilities? Schools across the country offer extended learning hours. that the flexibility of the 4-day work week helps them get more done. Other pros and cons exist in the school lunch debate. 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. Why did they switch to 4-day school weeks? 2. The longer school days of a 4-day week make it almost impossible for teens to find a job after school. In 2009, there were 3,000 schools in the United States operating on a year-round basis. Some families find that aligning the school day with typical parent work schedules is a family-friendly approach. Here are some additional key points to think about when looking at the pros and cons of a 4-day school week. Money is saved on that day because they don't have to run lights, heater or AC. However, these basics vary, depending on a company's policy. Ages. They can supervise their children at the bus stop in rural districts as well. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship. 5. It may reduce the number of discipline referrals for students. 2. If school doesnt get out until 4pm, then the student makes it home at 5pm. Copyright (c) 2023 Matthew Lynch. The current school schedule is a major downgrade from the 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM distance learning schedule. Shorter school days should be utilized in the U.S. education system as it comes with many benefits. A story on the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's website said: A poll where 2,700 random people were polled about 67% favoured a 4 day school week(university of Scranton). Recent survey findings show that four-day school weeks have been adopted as a way to alleviate budgetary issues, attract teachers, and reduce student absencesissues that the pandemic . teams may need to practice, professional development sessions may convene, etc. Recently Michael Gove raised the issue of the length of school holidays and the school day - the former are apparently too long, the latter too short. 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. Con: Not all students need one-on-one assistance, and some may even experience boredom or burnout from the extended school day. Should schools go to a 4 day school week instead of 5 days? flexibility is why they are such staunch proponents of the 4-day school schedule. 4. By switching to a 4-day school week, the number of transitions can be reduced because more time can be spent on each subject. It changes the holiday schedules for the school district. Spread the loveAre you looking for strategies to teach students appropriate mealtime manners? After-school jobs are a common way for teens to make money. In the standard 5-day school week, sports practices occur after school. ", 21 Payday Loan Industry Statistics, Trends & Analysis, 100 Best Side Hustles for Teens to Make Money, 10 Proven Psychological Pricing Strategies with Examples, 100 Office Etiquette Rules You Need to Know, 50 Best Business Letter Closings of All-Time. 4. 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. In the 4-day school week The National School Board Association estimates that approximately 135,000 guns are brought to America's 85,000 public schools each day. What are the pros and cons of shorter school week? This issue occurs at all grade levels. Why shorter school days are better for teachers? A potential decline in academic performance for vulnerable groups. The very thought of sending kids to school year-round makes some parents cringe. Going to the 4-day schedule can create scheduling conflicts with other districts, particularly with sporting events, performances, and groups like 4-H. It can help teachers and students better manage the process of learning. 1. When students are too tired or mentally exhausted to concentrate at the end of the day, the last hour becomes meaningless. Research has shown that in this configuration, students who are low-income, minority, or special needs dont fare too well academically. The ability to offer a 3-day weekend, every weekend, is a powerful motivator for school districts that are recruiting for quality employees. In Lexington, Oregon, Morrow County was able to save about $250,000 their first year, but out of a budget of $14 million. You wont have to run the electricity or pay for buses. 2 Students Should Be Getting More Rest In addition to students having more time to focus on important activities, a shorter school day would give them more time to rest. The capital, insurance, maintenance, and administrative costs remain relatively constant. That is a lot of time taken away, but if the school days were shortened, you would have a lot more time to do your activities. As you can see, there are a lot of pros and cons to the 4-day school week, but in terms of its long-term effect on academic outcomes, the jury is still out. The idea has been to cut hours while keeping pay the same. When teachers are more effective and efficient, student performance follows a similar pattern. Children would get up early and help with chores, go to school and then help out on the farm until sundown. 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. It is a program for mostly rural and small school districts. Students attending a 4-day school schedule may have requirements for their education that fall outside of the normal work schedule for their parents. Instead, an investment should be made in improving teaching strategies and new technology that could transform the learning process. Children need the opportunity to rest and re-energize, and theyre often overextended with activities, homework and part-time jobs. . The American Academy of Pediatrics states that children between the ages of 12 and 18 require at least eight hours of sleep per night, and in some cases as much as nine hours. The disadvantage is that more time does not equate to more learning. Shorter work weeks can improve employment productivity and provide families with more meaningful time together. Other schools are worried about academic performance. 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. It requires longer school days. 1. 5. The Advantages and Disadvantages of Extended School Days Advantage: More time to devote to learning. To compare, a regular semester generally lasts 16-18 weeks. Second, it would allow students to get more sleep, which is important for their health and well-being. Delaying school start times has been shown to have positive outcomes for students and families in overwhelming scientific research. Con: A longitudinal study in New Mexico looked at the performance difference in K-3 students from seven different school districts. The disadvantage is that more time does not equate to more learning. Should school hours be shorter? This is one reason school districts use to implement dress codes. It is critical to avoid producing a longer school day and instead produce a healthier, more balanced, and more engaging one. Overall, there are pros and cons to shorter school days. One of the biggest concerns of a 4-day school week is the length of seat time that younger students must complete. The Alaska school year averaged about 180 days in length, and the school day was 6.48 hours long. They also said students can gain more time for fun and still receive an excellent education. It provides an extra day for actual rest to occur when it may be needed without compromising the remainder of the family schedule. It involves increasing communication and various forms of interaction between people of different nations, ethnicities and cultures. 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 . 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 standard requirement for schools is 180 days or an average range of 990-1080 hours. So it is illogical to think that a four day week will help other grade levels. the traditional 5th day. The final class ends 1-2 hours before the work day ends for most parents. And the school districts in the state have stable student achievement levels on their standardized tests. Most schools, when Year Round Schooling: Should it Be Implemented? 1. Opportunity to relax and really immerse yourself in the experience. The districts which offer the 4-day work week receive more applications and more qualified applicants than the other school districts. 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. The only question is does it hurt students education but the statistics are showing that is clearly not the case one bit. It can also be difficult to monitor, as students may be able to find ways to sneak in a recess break even when they are supposed to be punished. (5) Most costs that were reduced were Operations and maintenance, heating and cooling, janitor supplies.
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