Four-day school week proposed: What are the pros and cons? (2024)

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Four-day school week proposed: What are the pros and cons? ›

Additionally, the extra day off can provide students with more opportunities for rest, family activities, and independent learning. However, detractors argue that a longer school day might be counterproductive, leading to decreased concentration and productivity as students become tired.

Additionally, the extra day off can provide students with more opportunities for rest, family activities, and independent learning. However, detractors argue that a longer school day might be counterproductive, leading to decreased concentration and productivity as students become tired.

The impact of the condensed schedule differs depending on a range of factors, including the number of hours schools operate and how they structure their daily schedules. Recent research generally finds small drops in student achievement. Staff morale improved under a four-day school week.

Turner says his research team's surveys have found that 70 to 80 percent of parents overall actually like the four-day week. "Some of the benefits they talk about are increased family time. They think students are less stressed. They think their morale at the school is better," says Dr.

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.

A shorter school week means fewer days of intense academics, allowing everyone to recharge over the long weekend. “It helps keep my stress level down because school and classes are very stressful and can take a negative toll on mental health,” one student shared.

Shorter school days enforce healthier sleep schedules across many adolescents and boosts their ability to focus and learn in classes. Additionally, it gives students the freedom and opportunity to balance work and after school activities while also maintaining a proper sleep schedule.

As of 2019, over 650 districts across 24 states are using this schedule — a 600% increase since 1999. The schedule is particularly popular in rural Colorado, Montana, Oklahoma and Oregon. As this option grows in popularity, state leaders are eager to learn about the impacts on students and schools.

Four-day school weeks are gaining popularity nationwide to save money and recruit new teachers. In fact, a PBS News article in September reported that nearly 900 school districts operate on a four-day schedule.

Do longer school days cause stress? ›

With such long hours, it can be difficult for students to make friends and socialize. This can lead to mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. In conclusion, long school hours are not beneficial for students and should be avoided.

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.

Disadvantages of Day School

Remaining at home has an effect on the child's growth. As a result, they do not develop self-sufficiency. In comparison to boarding schools, day schools typically have larger class sizes. As a result, the class teacher's interaction with each student is limited to that school year.

The Cons. THE SCHEDULE IS INEQUITABLE. THE COST SAVINGS IS MINIMAL FOR MOST. LONGER DAYS ARE TOUGH ON YOUNGER STUDENTS.

Fewer hours mean lower grades, research shows

Students on four-day schedules average 148 school days a year and go to school 35 to 60 hours less a year than students who attend school five days a week, according to research by Thompson and others.

Teachers tend to be more supportive of four-day weeks than school and district leaders, according to the EdWeek Research Center survey results from a nationally representative survey of 924 educators conducted between Nov. 30 and Dec. 6, 2023.

Findings varied by statistical model. The big trade-off, RAND found, was in student achievement. Math and English test scores didn't fall when schools switched to a four-day week. But they didn't grow as fast as they did in similar districts in the same states that kept a five-day schedule.

“Part of that is probably mechanical: They're spending less time in school,” she said. “So it depends on when we think bullying happens; if it happens at lunchtime and they actually now only have four days of lunch, instead of five days of lunch, that's a reduction in time that the bullying or fights might happen.