On average, students in the United States (U.S.) spend approximately 6.6 hours a day in school. Given the fact that most schools in the U.S. are behind other countries in test scores, this begs the question: are longer school days better for students? Although this may seem like a simple, closed-answer question, there are several pros and cons of having longer school days. (Walden University)
One of the biggest pros of longer school days would be that more hours would allow students extra time for instruction in core subjects or classes where the students need more direction. Being able to get more instruction in classes should directly help students to get better test scores and help their grades.
School ending later in the afternoon can also be beneficial to working parents. Later dismissal allows parents that work to be able to pick up their children from school and not have to pay for childcare after school. (Walker)
While most people may think that having more hours in a school day will definitely lead to higher grades, there is no direct correlation between longer school days and higher academic achievement. There are many other factors that contribute to the success of students other than longer school days. Things such as the quality of instruction and classroom environment are more likely to play a bigger impact in the improvement of scores.
A con to this concept is that increasing hours in the school day reduces the amount of time that students have for extracurricular activities and school sports that are necessary to learn new life skills and to have fun. More hours dedicated to the classroom would also decrease the free time that students need for homework and other activities.
Perhaps the biggest con of longer school days would be the effect on the students. More hours in the school day could possibly increase stress and pressure on the students due to increased workload and lack of time outside of class to complete work. These factors combined could affect their mental health in a negative way.
Overall, the question of how long a school day should be is not a simple answer. Although longer school days could possibly increase test scores and grades, which would lead to better education and jobs, the longer hours may not be best for students, parents, or educators.
FAQs
An expanded school schedule engages students more fully, and children learn better in a more stimulating environment. By reducing the pressure on the system to cram math and reading and science into too few hours, the new school day opens up the schedule for subjects that students enjoy and teachers like to teach.
Do students benefit from longer school days regression discontinuity evidence from Florida's additional hour of literacy instruction? ›
This paper uses a sharp regression discontinuity design to estimate the effects of lengthening the school day for low-performing schools in Florida by exploiting an administrative cutoff for eligibility. Our results indicate significant positive effects of additional literacy instruction on student reading achievement.
Would shorter school days be better? ›
Shortening school hours will assure a student's mental health and ability to learn in class by allowing students to have more time out of school to do homework, sports, etc. Leaving more time for after school activities gives students more time to sleep, leaving them energized and ready to learn the next day.
Why is 4 days of school better than 5? ›
By reducing the traditional five-day school week to four days, students are granted an extra day of relaxation, allowing them to recharge and be more focused during their time in school. One of the key advantages of a four-day school week is the increased opportunity for students to get the rest they need.
How do longer school days affect students? ›
With such long hours, students are not getting the proper amount of physical activity and exercise. This can lead to a variety of health issues such as obesity, diabetes, and other physical ailments. Finally, long school hours can also lead to a feeling of isolation and loneliness for students.
How do longer school days affect teachers? ›
Extended school days means that teachers will be required to work longer hours or additional teachers must be hired to work the extra time.
Why should schools have longer passing time? ›
Vega, Millikan's Principal, “It's not the most important reason, but too much time between classes can create a safety issue.” Longer passing periods will help more students arrive to class on time, and will also allow students more time to use the restroom before class, overall wasting less class time.
What are the benefits of delaying your education? ›
There are many life experiences out there outside of school. You might have the freedom to travel, explore areas around your own home, or get to know people outside of your comfort zone. These kinds of experiences are valuable in a different way than classroom experiences and are worth experiencing.
What are the pros and cons of longer school days? ›
Some educators think more time will be the answer, but just as many are sure it's a mistake.
- Pro: More Time for Learning. ...
- Con: More Time Doesn't Mean More Learning. ...
- Pro: More Time for Other Subjects. ...
- Con: Less Time for Outside Interests.
With shorter school days, kids can have more time to de-stress, reflect, and practice mindfulness. And it's so important that they have time to do that! Troubling research indicates that rates of high-stress, anxiety, and other mental health issues are rising in kids and teens.
Shorter class periods are better for both teachers and students by putting less pressure on both parties during lesson time. The student only needs to maintain their focus for 30 minutes while the teacher can focus on teaching the lesson.
Why should school days not be shorter? ›
Our children could end up losing large amounts of classroom learning - and then they would need even more private lessons to close the education gap. There is no possible way to reduce the day by even one hour without a negative effect on how much and how well our children learn.
Do 4 day school weeks improve mental health? ›
Parents repeatedly emphasize its effect on childrens' mental health and overall well-being. Many Life School students and parents report reduced feelings of stress and burnout. A shorter school week means fewer days of intense academics, allowing everyone to recharge over the long weekend.
Would a 4 day school week be more beneficial? ›
In addition, some studies have shown that student attendance improves under a four-day school week. With a longer weekend, students have more time to rest and engage in extracurricular activities, which can lead to better attendance during the week. This, in turn, can lead to improved academic performance.
Why should students not have shorter school days? ›
Fewer hours mean lower grades, research shows
Students on a four-day schedule, especially those with the least hours in school, have lower English language arts and math scores than students on a five-day schedule.
Is 7 hours at school too much? ›
Much like how adults tend to feel “done” after 8 hours, children also reach their limit. A 7-hour day at school or childcare, mirroring this rhythm, ensures that they are engaged and receptive during their learning hours.
