Should We Have Shorter School Days? - The BlackWell Firm There can be no one answer to this question because it is a matter of case by case. Year-Round Schedules Many people think of the school year as starting in August or at the beginning of September and continuing for 10 months. They can explore and discover various hobbies and interests, maintain their stress levels and get more sleep. There are approximately 300 children enrolled in California Elementary School under the age of eight. Student performance may improve with a 4-day school week. In 2009, there were 3,000 schools in the United States operating on a year-round basis. Con: A longitudinal study in New Mexico looked at the performance difference in K-3 students from seven different school districts. What they discovered was unexpected. . 4. 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. It may improve overall student attendance. Some schools even require students to have the belt line exposed at all times for fear of guns concealed under clothing. 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. Pros and Cons of Year-Round School - American University Another is that shorter days could lead to shorter attention spans in classrooms. 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. The ability to express oneself via electives can make children happier and more cooperative in the classroom. Employment opportunities with a 3-day weekend are increasing. After-school activities begin at that point, which means some students dont make it back home until 8pm that night. teams may need to practice, professional development sessions may convene, etc. The not just on the weekdays when students were out of school. The pros and cons of a 4-day school week offer many challenges. Since an entire day is cut off the week, that extra time needs to be made up during the remaining four days. Class runs Monday- Thursday with an added 40-60 minutes each day to compensate for the lost time by not having the schools run on Fridays. Why a four-day school week is bad? - TeachersCollegesj Spread the loveBuilding a culturally responsive classroom is hard. The current school schedule is a major downgrade from the 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM distance learning schedule. In Pros of the 4-day School Week. The four-day school is a phenomenon that has been sweeping across the U.S. Teachers will have more leisure time to spend with their family as a result of the reduced school days. time attracting qualified applicants. If so, keep reading. There are improvements in the school financially. Christmas and Spring holiday weeks may be extended as well. That is because larger districts offer more activities, manage more student events, and operate essentially 7 days per week during the school year anyway. This schedule works much better for parents, who often have that working schedule themselves. Students usually go to school about 6 hours each day in most districts. 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. 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. Students spend less time on the bus. The Pros and Cons of a Four-Day School Week - SchoolMoney.org If young kids are too weary to concentrate or perform well in class, they may experience weariness or fall asleep during class time. The Pros and Cons of a Four-Day School Week - ThoughtCo Dr. Meier is is a regular contributor for The Equity Network and has worked in education for more than 30 years. Teachers are attracted by the prospect of having a shorter work week. There is no one answer to this question as it can depend on individual circumstances. 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. To compare, a regular semester generally lasts 16-18 weeks. Those changes happen because students who are active participants in their learning have more fun in school. As a result, kids will be less worried about time management and will be less likely to fall behind on such rewarding activities. It is possible that children will be better prepared to concentrate when it matters because they will have more opportunities to move around and avoid being distracted by classroom rules. 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. A poll where 2,700 random people were polled about 67% favoured a 4 day school week(university of Scranton). All of these consequences just because nobody wants to shorten the school day. The Alaska school year averaged about 180 days in length, and the school day was 6.48 hours long. Changing the times could increase attendance by 1%, which could bring in $40 million more. But the extra money hasn't gone into teachers' salaries, which have dropped on average from . The school day was originally created to meet the needs of farmers. Despite these difficulties, many disabled students go on to lead successful and fulfilling lives. This creates challenges for families that range from transportation to daycare and could make it difficult for parents to be fully involved with their childs education. By 2013, a dramatic improvement in scores was credited to the extended learning time. The Pros and Cons of Year-Round Schools. It may eliminate common holidays, such as Memorial Day or Labor Day, from the schedule. These schools save all this money from just switching to a shorter week. There are potential savings to food programs and other important areas of infrastructure because the school district is closed 1 additional day each week. Students that sit in lecture classrooms retain 10% or less of the information that is presented to them. Research has shown that in this configuration, students who are low-income, minority, or special needs dont fare too well academically. Dr. Kelly S. Meier - Updated May 03, 2019, Copyright 2023 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Education, Explore state by state cost analysis of US colleges in an interactive article, NavajoCode: Unbiased Longer School Days Pros and Cons. Additional costs savings from a shorter day include less . 4 Day School Week Pros and Cons. Pros and cons of a four day working week. The pros and cons of longer days and shorter breaks - SecEd The Oakridge School District in Oregon reported that their test scores improved when they shifted to this alternative schedule as well. One is that it would likely mean that teachers would have to teach more classes, which could lead to burnout. Shorter school days that start later in the day could alleviate this problem, promoting healthy habits and the many benefits that go with a solid sleep routine. These actions often negate the benefits of the 3-day weekend because it really isnt a true 3-day weekend. Anticipated savings are in transportation, food and food service workers, hourly workers and utilities. Delaying school start times will assist students in developing the skills required to reach their full potential. There are various school days in the United States. Approximately 1,800 schools in the U.S. have extended learning hours, but there are many pros and cons of extended school days. Arlene Ackerman says she and her students don't have the strength to teach or learn near the end of the school day. Do 4-day school weeks positively affect student outcomes? Another is that shorter days could lead to shorter attention spans in classrooms. Four-Day School Week Overview - National Conference of State Legislatures A story on the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's website said: Many school districts still operate Monday-Friday, even on a 4-day week. One issue that schools face today is what kind of school schedule there should be throughout the year. There were also reduced sick days requested by their teaching staff. Many recommend that teens get at least eight hours of sleep to feel well rested and . Thats two hours of lost time for farm chores, homework, or other responsibilities that rural families have more often than urban or suburban families. It starts too early, ends too late, and occurs far too often. It requires longer school days. 3. Schools may even have to purchase lights for after school activities. (Lewis) In Bonneville, Idaho the school started later in the day which resulted in absences dropping 15%. Most students in the four-day districts80 percent of high school students and 90 percent of elementary studentsspent their "off day" at home. Con: A lengthened school day may impede upon extracurricular activities, especially in secondary education. Data is an important variable if youre considering the longer school days pros and cons list. It is also possible for schools to extend the school day in more districts across the country. In YRE, the number of days in school equals the number of days in a calendar year (180 days). Spread the loveThis term refers to the grouping of students by mental capability, aptitude, or hobbies. 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. Copyright (c) 2023 Matthew Lynch. Con: School districts across the U.S. are struggling to make ends meet. Finally, some parents worry that shorter days could mean that their children would have less time to participate in extracurricular activities. the fifth day, but they forget, they will still be open and running activities 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. Does this sound exciting and rich with possibilities? Long school days can cause eating problems for students who don't eat at school, or who use up all their energy while learning. 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. Pros Vs. Cons of Extended School Days - The Classroom Why is year round school better? Explained by Sharing Culture Unbiased Longer School Days Pros and Cons | Navajo Code Talkers 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. He goes on to say that in order to realize that level of savings, schools must severely limit transportation for activities or programs not conducted on regular school days. In the United States, about 50% of all companies are either offering or thinking about offering a 4-day workweek for their workers. 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. The 4-day schedule eliminates one full driving day for the transportation department. 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. New Haven teachers in an unprecedented move allowed their teacher unions to take over the rewriting of their contracts. disabled students may also find it difficult to participate in extracurricular activities and socialise with their peers. Shortening the School Day | Education - Seattle PI 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. The standard requirement for schools is 180 days or an average range of 990-1080 hours. Working a couple of hours after school gains experience and disposable income. 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. The Rochester City Council established the Extended Learning Time initiative as part of Rochesters ongoing commitment to education. Four day school weeks are becoming a necessity for some rural school districts that lack funding. The pros and cons of schools ditching a long summer break Adds flexibility to teachers schedules. By switching to a 4-day school week, the number of transitions can be reduced because more time can be spent on each subject. 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 . There are potential reductions in the financial costs of running a school district. Long summers are known to cause "summer slide," or the decline of academic skills and knowledge over the course of the extended vacation. Spread the loveAfrican Africans have a long history of being mistreated in the United States, starting with slavery. Moving to the 4-day schedule shifts student movement patterns, reducing the number of lost transition minutes. the traditional 5th day. 1. A new educational model could be implemented: 9-to-5 schools. It is possible to have a negative impact on some laboratory classes by reducing the number of minutes in class each day. This means students in a district with this alternative schedule get out later for the holidays than students on the traditional Monday-Friday schedule. Others believe that lengthening the school day is an expensive endeavor that wont yield substantial results. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. Too Early to Tell The school districts in New Mexico are one of the best examples of this benefit. Arguments For and Against Longer School Years - Poynter For school districts following the 4-day school week, the Thanksgiving holiday usually receives a full week off instead of the final two days of the week. A three-day weekend allows for extra leisure time, as well as a reduction in commute and energy usage. four-day week across 16 school districts. 2. If practicums can be included with small group discussions, the retention rate can top 90% for some students. (Solution). Shorter school days should be used in the United States education system since they have several advantages. If no other elements are in place, it is highly unlikely that extending the school day would result in increased student learning. Despite the fact that a few studies have recently been published, there is no significant research on the four-day school week. These school districts are typically in isolated regions, are rural, and have a student body that is fewer than 500 students. There are several advantages and disadvantages of 4-day school weeks to examine based on the results that districts are reporting from their efforts to implement this schedule. 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 Cons. Traditional vs. 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. This occurs because a large number of students are moving around the school campus. Changing the Moniteau County R-1 School districts schedule to a four-day week would be detrimental to students safety and involvement in activities. Teachers are frequently overworked and required to perform tasks that are outside their job description. We can all agree that school feels like it lasts forever. Having well-rested and happy employees can increase their overall work engagement and productivity.

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