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. A local news reporter says thevve also saved substitute teacher costs because teachers don't have to take a day off for appointments (Chiaramonte 2 ). The Alaska school year averaged about 180 days in length, and the school day was 6.48 hours long. For the Cove School District in Eastern Oregon, the school day begins at 8am and doesnt end until 4pm. 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. Many of these schools are already operating on an alternative schedule because that is what works best for their community. One internet search reveals a wealth of opinions on both sides of the issue, and each argument sheds light on the topic. Parents can drop-off their kids in the morning, then pick them up in the afternoon, without worrying about work. Students in the third through sixth grades have improved their ACT scores, according to studies. That means the average cost, per student, is about $700. That means the students in those districts have better opportunities to learn. Most schools, when Year Round Schooling: Should it Be Implemented? At the same time, teacher attendance rates also rose, which is a trend still seen in these districts, 20+ years later. The four-day school is a phenomenon that has been sweeping across the U.S. Your email address will not be published. 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! It provides a realistic way for schools to remain open and also has added benefits beyond saving money. Disadvantage: Less time for extracurricular activities. The Advantages and Disadvantages of Extended School Days. Con: School districts across the U.S. are struggling to make ends meet. "I get really tired throughout the day and I would love shorter school hours." Kids that go to schools with the 4-day week are often happier, stay happy throughout the school year, and look forward to going to school each day. 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. Students with less sleep have difficulty paying attention in class and are likely to have lower grades. Kuss Middle School in Fall River, Mass., has risen from a Level 5 to a Level 1 after implementing extended learning time. Schools across the country offer extended learning hours. 2023 The Black Well Firm. Finally, some parents worry that shorter days could mean that their children would have less . Rural school districts find the greatest benefit in this area. What Grades Is Elementary School? There is no one answer to this question as it can depend on individual circumstances. The majority of these are found in the western United States, including Oregon, Montana, Idaho, Colorado, and Oklahoma, Thompson said. Accidents, absences, and absences all fall on the decline, and students academic performance rises. The Pros and Cons to Longer School Days. 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. It may reduce the number of discipline referrals for students. 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. 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. Despite these difficulties, many disabled students go on to lead successful and fulfilling lives. Sports schedules are easier to manage. 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. Our general school hours run from 9 am - 2 pm, with extra . According to new research, the four-day week is a popular way for parents and students to spend quality time together. Long school days, on the other hand, can present some challenges and, at the very least, unsatisfactory outcomes. 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. 2. 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. There are several major pros and cons of a 4-day school week which must be considered by school districts looking to make this kind of change. And the school districts in the state have stable student achievement levels on their standardized tests. Dr. Meier is is a regular contributor for The Equity Network and has worked in education for more than 30 years. Teachers have more time to prepare lessons and collaborate during the day. According to Adam Urbanski, president of the Rochester Teachers Association, there is no guarantee that popularity will be replicated in other schools. NOTE : The information on this website is for general information purposes only. If the school days are shortened, then students will not be able to learn enough because of the short school day. Suffolk Public Schools went with a 7:25 am start time for their district and are saving almost $700,000 per year. More time to focus on mental health In the typical K-12 schooling model, mental health education is too often shunted aside. School districts consider shorter school days for several reasons, including saving money and providing students the ability to participate in more extracurricular activities. Bisbee Unified School District (AZ) saved $154,000, Duval County Public School (FL) saved $7 million, and Lake Superior School District (MN) $200,000. Many schools are, in fact, offering year-round services now to accommodate the changing needs of their communities. According to ASCD, many disciplinary issues that students face come from scheduled transitions. Theyre from moments we remember having fun, whether that was in the classroom, the playground, or the athletics field. Cutting that by 20% means a savings of $4 billion, if implemented nationwide. A potential decline in academic performance for vulnerable groups. First and foremost, an extended school day would provide students with extra learning time. An understandable concern for parents, teachers, and students about the 4-day school week is the extended time required to be at school during the day. Anticipated savings are in transportation, food and food service workers, hourly workers and utilities. All rights reserved. This could be especially true for students who are struggling in a particular subject or for students who have a lot of homework. Special correspondent Lisa Stark of Education Week reports on the pros and cons for students, families and schools. For others, perhaps not. over 1 million dollars on utilities, busing, and labor costs. Just 11 of the districts had enrollments of more than 1,000 students. If so, keep reading. A change in schedule is an adjustment for school officials, students and families. A three-day weekend allows for extra leisure time, as well as a reduction in commute and energy usage. In addition, they are given a week off for major holidays and 2 weeks of summer vacation at their parents discretion. This is one of the strongest arguments in favour of a longer school day. School Evaluation For Special Education What Parents Need to Know, Effectively Educating Diverse Student Populations: Strategies That Work - Applead Hofu, The Importance Of Sight Words In Early Reading GoGreenva.org, Online Education in Chennai - Birla Brainiacs, Advancing Technology Education in Rural High Schools Across - The Tech Edvocate - VSAY .IN. The current school schedule is a major downgrade from the 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM distance learning schedule. That means one of the biggest expenses for the district is immediately cut by 20%. Spread the loveThis term refers to the grouping of students by mental capability, aptitude, or hobbies. Students in a 4-day school week are packing 180 days into a condensed 145-day schedule. Small group learning with discussion, for example, increases the information retention rate for students up to 80%. time attracting qualified applicants. Many school 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. STP every day allows students to do their schoolwork, resulting in reduced overall stress. Extending the school day is a hot topic for educational policy making bodies. Pro: An extended school day provides more flexibility for parents, eliminating the need for after-school care. Shorter school days should be utilized in the U.S. education system as it comes with many benefits. In the United States, $17.5 billion each year is spent on school bus transportation. They found out that seven school districts saved money under the new 3. 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. First, it would give students more time to focus on their homework and studies outside of school. The pros and cons of a 4-day school week offer many challenges. According to him, providing education to all would be beneficial to society. Spread the loveThe International Baccalaureate Program is a very intensive pre-college program in which when students get involved, they get college credit. In the United States, only five states require recess in elementary schools, with Texas not one of them. Changing the Moniteau County R-1 School districts schedule to a four-day week would be detrimental to students safety and involvement in activities. ", 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. If no other elements are in place, it is highly unlikely that extending the school day would result in increased student learning. During recess, limit the number of games or activities that students can participate in. NEA Today: A 9 to 5 School Day: Are Longer Hours Better for Students and Educators? 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. Florida's inflation-adjusted education spending per student has roughly doubled in the last 30 years -- to $7,473 in 2000-01. Less time in school could allow students the freedom to discover other interests that are fulfilling and stimulating. (5) Most costs that were reduced were Operations and maintenance, heating and cooling, janitor supplies. A potential decline in academic performance for vulnerable groups. This leads to added costs that some families, living paycheck to paycheck, may not be able to afford. Good for working parents: This would lead to less wraparound care for working . After 12 hours of being away from home, students struggle to find time to study during the 4-day school week. If you are arrested for spanking your child, you may face charges of assault, battery, child abuse, or domestic violence. Who Sang For Troy In High School Musical? configuration, but nine districts were actually spending more. Pros and cons of a four day working week. Why weekends should be longer for students? School administration, associates with principal office also went down. In the standard 5-day school week, sports practices occur after school. Even the cost savings of a total shift to a 4-day schedule may be minimal. Over the last century, humans have acquired a staggering amount of knowledge and understanding. If she is not receptive to your suggestions, you may want to get a doctors note stating that recess is required. Colorado has nearly three-quarters of its school districts on a four-day schedule. On the plus side, employees love it. A new educational model could be implemented: 9-to-5 schools. School districts save money. There are some drawbacks to shorter school days, as well. Oklahoma Department of Education examined the economic effect of going to a Another potential drawback is that shorter school days could lead to more after-school activities, which could be a problem for working parents. Pro: An extended school day provides more flexibility for parents, eliminating the need for after-school care. The. The driving force behind the proposal to lengthen the school day is the assertion that more instructional time would yield greater academic gains. In return, the number of disciplinary measures can also be reduced. Pro: In 2004, the school day was lengthened for a Massachusetts school to address the issue of underperforming students. Should school hours be shorter? They balk at the idea of kids attending schools with no summer break. There are some drawbacks to shorter school days, as well. After physical activity, children with or without ADHD appear to perform better at attention, memory, and mood. Does time of day affect student learning? 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 occurs because a large number of students are moving around the school campus. The pros of year-round school Eliminating any sort of long break from school can improve a child's academic achievement. Because of this, school districts dont have a hard Longer school days may lead to attention deficit and fatigue, making the extra class time ineffective. 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. It involves increasing communication and various forms of interaction between people of different nations, ethnicities and cultures. It is also good for teachers and the whole school. The Advantages and Disadvantages of Extended School Days Advantage: More time to devote to learning. The schools who did switch the expenses reduced by 20%, transportation would reduce also by 20%, and the average district could have saving of 5.43% total budget. Students feel less pressure because they have more time to study at their own pace at home, especially in the later grades. 4. However, these basics vary, depending on a company's policy. Those against extended lunches might argue . 1. They question the value of a continuous . Every community has their own unique requirements that must be addressed by school scheduling. If young kids are too weary to concentrate or perform well in class, they may experience weariness or fall asleep during class time. Longer school days would provide students with more time to focus on core subjects or classes where they need more instruction, which would be a huge benefit. New Haven teachers in an unprecedented move allowed their teacher unions to take over the rewriting of their contracts. Some school districts shifted to a 4-day week not because of financial needs, but others did so to make it easier to schedule sporting events or after-school activities. Should schools go to a 4 day school week instead of 5 days? The four-day week did not appear to affect. According to the vast majority of states, spanking your child is against the law. Spread the loveGlobalization is the growing interconnectedness of countries around the world. If so, keep reading. Here are a few: 1. Student performance may improve with a 4-day school week. Do students learn better in shorter classes? She is the author and co-author of 12 books and serves as a consultant in K-12 and higher education. Do 4-day school weeks positively affect student outcomes? Shorter School Days Are the Way. By switching to a 4-day school week, the number of transitions can be reduced because more time can be spent on each subject. Well, for some rural schools across the nation, this has become a reality. Children have a six-week summer break and ten days of off every 45 days of class. The standard requirement for schools is 180 days or an average range of 990-1080 hours.