Many school districts keep their administrative staff on school grounds all week long, though some allow half to take a Monday off, while the other half takes Friday off. Some families find that aligning the school day with typical parent work schedules is a family-friendly approach. 1. One is that it would likely mean that teachers would have to teach more classes, which could lead to burnout. The Alaska school year averaged about 180 days in length, and the school day was 6.48 hours long. This occurs because a large number of students are moving around the school campus. They need a shorter school day so they can have more time to relax and play. It is important to consider all of the factors before making a decision. Since the approach to curriculum development and pedagogical style varies by state and district, data must be disaggregated to evaluate specific impact. Teachers are attracted by the prospect of having a shorter work week. 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. On top of that, you will likely only be taking 1-2 classes at a time instead of four or more. This is a big con for me, as sacrificing the futures of our most vulnerable students is not worth the trivial benefits of 4-day school weeks. 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. For the Cove School District in Eastern Oregon, the school day begins at 8am and doesnt end until 4pm. Students attending a 4-day school schedule may have requirements for their education that fall outside of the normal work schedule for their parents. In general, taking away recess as punishment may be seen as unfair or too harsh, especially for young children. So it is illogical to think that a four day week will help other grade levels. What are the pros and cons of shorter school week? Kids already spend a very long time each week in the school and away from their family. What Grades Is Elementary School? Children need the opportunity to rest and re-energize, and theyre often overextended with activities, homework and part-time jobs. There should be year round schooling because it can help students learn more and forget less, other classes are included and childcare is provided, teachers get more time to plan and teach lessons. It may eliminate common holidays, such as Memorial Day or Labor Day, from the schedule. 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. She studies hard, does her research and assignments, and goes to class every single day. This leads to added costs that some families, living paycheck to paycheck, may not be able to afford. 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. Shorter school days should be utilized in the U.S. education system as it comes with many benefits. More time to focus on mental health In the typical K-12 schooling model, mental health education is too often shunted aside. Increase Engagement and Productivity. 3. disabled students may also find it difficult to participate in extracurricular activities and socialise with their peers. Some are facing the debate about whether to keep standardized tests or not. the traditional 5th day. Pro: An extended school day provides more flexibility for parents, eliminating the need for after-school care. Sacrifices Family Time. 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. Staying at school for the majority of the day isn't allowing me . A potential decline in academic performance for vulnerable groups. Delaying school start times has been shown to have positive outcomes for students and families in overwhelming scientific research. Shifting to this schedule does have certain disadvantages, especially for working parents. Instead, an investment should be made in improving teaching strategies and new technology that could transform the learning process. 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. 4 day school week would be better for schools without a doubt because you save money and kids will be more refreshed and not burned out also their behavior is showed to become better. school schedules from 5 to 4 days. After 12 hours of being away from home, students struggle to find time to study during the 4-day school week. The disadvantage is that more time does not equate to more learning. However, these basics vary, depending on a company's policy. 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. Teachers can use more time in the day to go on field trips or expand content areas. List of Cons of Implementing 4-Day School Weeks 1. Some school districts have reported saving Second, it would allow students to get more sleep, which is important for their health and well-being. Students in the third through sixth grades have improved their ACT scores, according to studies. That can make it difficult for some students to pay attention to the information being provided. Spread the loveApplying for admission to professional and graduate schools is no less competitive than college/undergraduate admissions. Those changes happen because students who are active participants in their learning have more fun in school. When implemented, however, 1st graders do just as well as teens with the expanded schedule and 3-day weekend. At the same time, the constant back-and-forth for students limits the amount of fun they can have. Should the school day start later pros and cons? The Advantages and Disadvantages of Extended School Days Advantage: More time to devote to learning. 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. When busing and after-school activities are included in that timeframe as well, some older students may find themselves putting in 12-hour days at school every day. All rights reserved. Students usually go to school about 6 hours each day in most districts. 2. Potential for juvenile crime to increase. Pros and cons of shorter work weeks. Increases student attendance. That reduces the effective time they would have for homework once they actually make it home. Students with less sleep have difficulty paying attention in class and are likely to have lower grades. flexibility to teachers schedules and as a result, makes their jobs more However, there are advantages and disadvantages associated with shortening the school day that should be considered before sweeping action is taken to alter the traditional school day. four-day week across 16 school districts. The very thought of sending kids to school year-round makes some parents cringe. Students feel less pressure because they have more time to study at their own pace at home, especially in the later grades. They question the value of a continuous . 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. 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. Younger people shouldn't have to work as long as some adults do. There will be days, even with the best efforts of everyone involved, where a student is stuck with an after-hours activity, deep into the night, after being in class for most of the day. When teachers operate under time constraints, in high-pressure situations, then they typically default to a lecture-based teaching style. 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. If the schools made 40 minute periods, the students could learn just as much as they would in a 50 minute period.One of the biggest benefits of this system is the financial savings. A new educational model could be implemented: 9-to-5 schools. Children would get up early and help with chores, go to school and then help out on the farm until sundown. This got me thinking about the pros and cons of longer vs. shorter trips. While state requirements vary on the number of instructional days and hours in the year, the majority of states set the school year at 180 days (30 states). Better sleep: Delayed start time could help teens sleep during . The only students who actually get to benefit from the 4-day school week are those that do not have any extra-curricular activities in which they are involved. They do have a full day free for a job in some instances, but trying to find work on the weekends only, especially in a rural community, is never a guarantee unless you dont mind working on a farm, that is. It may reduce the number of discipline referrals for students. The Advantages and Disadvantages of Extended School Days. The major pros and cons of a 4-day school week suggest that it can save money for districts, which means taxpayers benefit. Year-round schooling has been proposed as a better option for students than a traditional 9-month schedule. I believe that if we go to a four day school week that it would help the kids physically, mentally, and financially. Spread the loveOne of the questions that I am frequently asked is, what does a good teacher look like? It is encouraged for students to try new things in order to benefit from them. 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. In general, ELT has received positive feedback; however, some schools have had more difficult transitions than others. In Alabama, the school year lasts 180 days and the school day lasts 7.03 hours. 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. It is possible to have a negative impact on some laboratory classes by reducing the number of minutes in class each day. Pro: In 2004, the school day was lengthened for a Massachusetts school to address the issue of underperforming students. By 2013, a dramatic improvement in scores was credited to the extended learning time. 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 want to avoid withholding recess as punishment, consider rewarding yourself rather than punishing yourself, such as rewarding yourself with extra recess for good behavior. Since an entire day is cut off the week, that extra time needs to be made up during the remaining four days. Additionally student involvement and safety would suffer. 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. And the school districts in the state have stable student achievement levels on their standardized tests. Increasing the length of school days may result in attention deficit and exhaustion, rendering the additional class time unproductive. Some schools do not allow recess to be used as punishment, while others may do so on a case-by-case basis. The standard requirement for schools is 180 days or an average range of 990-1080 hours. After analyzing Colorado schools operating on four-day school weeks, (Dam) reports that transportation costs can be reduced by 20%. Changing the times could increase attendance by 1%, which could bring in $40 million more. With the long break of summer, many people prefer the short breaks of year round schools. The ability to express oneself via electives can make children happier and more cooperative in the classroom. After physical activity, children with or without ADHD appear to perform better at attention, memory, and mood. Pros and Cons of the Four-Day Week Proponents of four-day school weeks say that even though cost savings are minimal, they are achieved. Some school districts, particularly those that are in regions of the U.S. where snowfall creates a handful of cancellations each year, find that they are forced to reduce, if not eliminate, certain holidays or vacations. For school districts struggling with funding issues, the potential savings here could save the budget. In the United States, the average school day is around six and a half hours long. Spread the loveAfrican Africans have a long history of being mistreated in the United States, starting with slavery. The pros of year-round school Eliminating any sort of long break from school can improve a child's academic achievement. To see how shorter school days hurt both teachers and students, we need to look at a major structural change in education. Schools across the country offer extended learning hours. Extending the school year may help make teaching a full-time, more lucrative profession for educators if year-round schools can cut costs through . The move toward a shorter workweek is gaining momentum. 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%. Students in a 4-day school week are packing 180 days into a condensed 145-day schedule. Pros of the 4-day School Week. In 2009, there were 3,000 schools in the United States operating on a year-round basis. More teaching: Covid-19 has resulted in a lot of disruption in teaching. Pros and Cons of a Shorter Workweek. Disadvantage: Less time for extracurricular activities. Data is an important variable if youre considering the longer school days pros and cons list. Children have a six-week summer break and ten days of off every 45 days of class. Although sleep is a huge and major part, it is not the only part. School districts save money. It is also good for teachers and the whole school. Special correspondent Lisa Stark of Education Week reports on the pros and cons for students, families and schools. School districts save money. Students who attend year-round school have the same number of school days as their counterparts following a traditional schedule. In many US school districts, the first class begins 1-2 hours after most parents need to be at work. Why shorter school days are better for teachers? As with any innovation, shorter workweeks have advantages and disadvantages. But recently, there has been a move towards shorter weeks across the United States. 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. Con: School districts across the U.S. are struggling to make ends meet. The Melstone School District in Montana also shifted to a 4-day school week. In 2007-2008, the United States had an average school day of 6.64 hours per day, and an average school year of 180 days. 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. They saved 1.4%, or $45,000, instead. A low income school in New Haven, Connecticut started the new year telling students they would be attending school until 4:15 P.M. four days a week. It would also be beneficial to reduce the week in order to promote activity participation. Parents can drop-off their kids in the morning, then pick them up in the afternoon, without worrying about work. The school day is too long. Required fields are marked *, on Why School Days Should Be Shorter? Year-round education (YRE) is being considered or adopted by some districts. 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. Your email address will not be published. The only question is does it hurt students education but the statistics are showing that is clearly not the case one bit. Pros of Year-Round School. 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. Many recommend that teens get at least eight hours of sleep to feel well rested and . According to him, providing education to all would be beneficial to society. That reorganization, though, and the underlying effort, will have much to do with reviving the American education system, and reviving a national love of learning. Compacting school into just four days a week leaves more time for kids to spend with family, friends and outside interests. Finally, some parents worry that shorter days could mean that their children would have less time to participate in extracurricular activities. Not only would this give everyone a 3-day weekend to enjoy, it would also limit the pressure on students and teachers to have a diversified learning experience in a compressed time period. Lets take a look at some proof. Con: Not all students need one-on-one assistance, and some may even experience boredom or burnout from the extended school day. It might help school districts save money. Shorter days can only be seen as a positive thing and would benefit students, teacher, and administrators. The organization 4 Day Week Global sponsored the program. 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. Spread the loveAre you looking for ways to teach students appropriate mealtime manners? There are approximately 300 children enrolled in California Elementary School under the age of eight. The longer school days of a 4-day week make it almost impossible for teens to find a job after school. This added 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? When making a decision about whether to adopt a shorter school week, it is important for school districts to consider the 4 day school week pros and cons. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. Their students were more focused because they were more rested, which equated to fewer classroom disruptions. In 2009, there were 3,000 schools in the United States operating on a year-round basis. What are the pros and cons for students, teachers and school boards? The school day could be shortened to give children and teenagers more time for movement, brain breaks, and other activities that have been shown to increase learning outcomes. That additional day can also be used for staff development time instead of taking away a school day to do so. School administration, associates with principal office also went down. Although families benefit from the 3-day weekend and those scheduling benefits, the non-traditional time off given to students can offset some of that savings. 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. So much so, many new teachers end up leaving the field within their first three years. time attracting qualified applicants. The University of New Mexico Newsroom: Research Study Yields Unexpected Conclusion About Longer School Years. Some educators believe that extending the school day until 5:00 p.m. is the answer. Adds flexibility to teacher's schedules. When it comes to school, we most likely understand what its like to go to school all year. Rural school districts and small school districts benefit the most from a 4-day schedule because of their natural isolation. You wont have to run the electricity or pay for buses. The 4-day schedule eliminates one full driving day for the transportation department. We must ensure that every child has the opportunity to learn by improving the effectiveness of our schools and ensuring that all children have access to them. Most parents work a 5-day schedule and struggle to adapt to a 4-day school schedule. Florida's inflation-adjusted education spending per student has roughly doubled in the last 30 years -- to $7,473 in 2000-01. Here are some additional key points to think about when looking at the pros and cons of a 4-day school week. What they discovered was unexpected. There have been several studies that reported the 4-day school week had positive effects on students math and reading scores. Also, there have been studies that found that special populations do not thrive under this configuration. There are positive outcomes that may occur, but there are negative outcomes that must also be managed. Rural school districts find the greatest benefit in this area. There are a few reasons why shorter school days could be beneficial. The Chattooga County School District in Georgia shifted to a 4-day school week. According to the findings, relocating some math classes to the morning and other subjects, such as English, to the afternoon might result in an increase in students GPAs and test outcomes. I am glad that you asked. Delaying school start times will assist students in developing the skills required to reach their full potential. . 4 Day School Week Pros and Cons. over 1 million dollars on utilities, busing, and labor costs. Anticipated savings are in transportation, food and food service workers, hourly workers and utilities. 4. 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. Our general school hours run from 9 am - 2 pm, with extra . Other Debates. School districts consider shorter school days for several reasons, including saving money and providing students the ability to participate in more extracurricular activities. STP every day allows students to do their schoolwork, resulting in reduced overall stress. Adds flexibility to teachers schedules. 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. that the flexibility of the 4-day work week helps them get more done. The disadvantage is that more time does not equate to more learning. schedule, the district adds 40 or so minutes to make up for the time lost on 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. A switch to a 4-day schedule gives teachers more time to use teaching styles that are more effective. It involves increasing communication and various forms of interaction between people of different nations, ethnicities and cultures. Other popular year-round schedules are the 60-20 and 90-30 calendars, where students are in class for 60 or 90 days with vacations of 20 or 30 days respectively. It is critical to avoid producing a longer school day and instead produce a healthier, more balanced, and more engaging one. The school districts in New Mexico are one of the best examples of this benefit. Sports schedules are easier to manage. Keeping schools open five days a week is not financially feasible. From the moment you walk into the second you walk out. Longer school days may have some positive impact on student achievement, but research on their effects is lacking. Suffolk Public Schools went with a 7:25 am start time for their district and are saving almost $700,000 per year. The school districts may operate classes Monday-Thursday on a 4-day week (or Tuesday-Friday in some instances), but they are still operational from an administrative standpoint on the off-day. It is also possible for schools to extend the school day in more districts across the country. 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. Spread the loveGlobalization is the growing interconnectedness of countries around the world. Many schools are adding thirty minutes to both the beginning and end of the school day. One is that it would likely mean that teachers would have to teach more classes, which could lead to burnout. It also means that they would have more time to mark the voluminous quantity of homework that they have to complete every night. Here are a few: 1. In Sometimes, schools are forced to travel during the school week to play some games or attend certain events. In comparison to 2007, the number of public schools that offer year-round programs has increased by 26%. According to the majority of the researchers, the inconclusive results do not imply that decisions to change schedules should be made based on test scores. But just because the final bell rang doesnt mean that youre done. 1. Bisbee Unified School District (AZ) saved $154,000, Duval County Public School (FL) saved $7 million, and Lake Superior School District (MN) $200,000. The Massachusetts Expanded Learning Time Initiative has already benefited 19 schools and over 10,000 students. 4-day school weeks add It starts too early, ends too late, and occurs far too often. Cons of the 4-Day School Week. Well, at least initially. Older students can spend time engaging in resum-building public service or paid work. 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.
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