Increase Engagement and Productivity. The pros and cons of a 4-day school week offer many challenges. How To Switch School Districts Without Moving? When implemented, however, 1st graders do just as well as teens with the expanded schedule and 3-day weekend. For some, a 4-day week makes perfect sense. Games occur in the evening, often on the weekend. Spread the loveThis program assesses 15-year-old students schooling in countries that form part of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Sara Blackwell teaches Employment Law at University of South Florida in Tampa and she is a published author. List of Cons of Implementing 4-Day School Weeks 1. 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. After 12 hours of being away from home, students struggle to find time to study during the 4-day school week. Does this sound exciting and rich with possibilities? On the plus side, employees love it. The idea has been to cut hours while keeping pay the same. In 2022, companies in the U.K., the U.S., and Canada instituted a four-day workweek pilot program to test the concept. The disadvantage is that more time does not equate to more learning. Shorter school days should be utilized in the U.S. education system as it comes with many benefits. Some students believe that having a four-day school week allows them to get more rest and to be in a less stressful atmosphere than they would otherwise have. Schools are facing many issues today. 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. The major pros and cons of a 4-day school week suggest that it can save money for districts, which means taxpayers benefit. 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. 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. There is the possibility of making up for lost time, especially those who are at a disadvantage due to the digital divide. Required fields are marked *, on Why School Days Should Be Shorter? I am glad that you asked. 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. There are numerous advantages and disadvantages to each. It is a program for mostly rural and small school districts. Spread the loveUsually, people are under the wrong impression that geography does not offer many job opportunities, and there are no jobs for a geographer. We can all agree that school feels like it lasts forever. 6-7. Well, for some rural schools across the nation, this has become a reality. Longer school days may have some positive impact on student achievement, but research on their effects is lacking. 1. They may also experience irritability and fatigue. In general, taking away recess as punishment may be seen as unfair or too harsh, especially for young children. There are a few potential drawbacks to shorter school days. 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Con: A lengthened school day may impede upon extracurricular activities, especially in secondary education. To avoid this issue, many school districts have considered shifting to a 4-day school week. Budgetary requirements are an important part of a longer school days pros and cons list. Why should school weeks be shorter? My main concern is that most kids will not be able to focus by the end of the day because the school days will be longer,and so there would be no point in trying to teach at the end of the day. If she is not receptive to your suggestions, you may want to get a doctors note stating that recess is required. The pros of year-round school Eliminating any sort of long break from school can improve a child's academic achievement. There is a variety of emotional and behavioral problems, depression, alcohol use, and impaired cognitive function that can contribute to this. What's the Difference Between Burnout and Demoralization, and What Can Teachers Do About It? Our general school hours run from 9 am - 2 pm, with extra . Because school buses are only running 4 days per week instead of 5 days, there is the potential of reducing transportation costs by up to 20% by shifting the schedule. Bisbee Unified School District (AZ) saved $154,000, Duval County Public School (FL) saved $7 million, and Lake Superior School District (MN) $200,000. Imagine a school year that gave the students one week off after every quarter and every Friday off. Staying at school for the majority of the day isn't allowing me . Companies have been experimenting with shorter work days for at least a decade and, despite announcements that the 40-hour week is dead, there have been mixed results from the experiments. 5. Finally, some parents worry that shorter days could mean that their children would have less time to participate in extracurricular activities. Spread the loveFor the past few decades, our countrys educational system has seen both struggle and tremendous change. It is critical to avoid producing a longer school day and instead produce a healthier, more balanced, and more engaging one. Schools are able to switch to a four-day week by simply increasing the length of their school day. It would also be beneficial to reduce the week in order to promote activity participation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship. Changing school start times will increase attendance and money brought in. Students can adjust to the new schedule. It changes the holiday schedules for the school district. The school day was originally created to meet the needs of farmers. Spread the loveEducation is a collaborative process, as it takes many stakeholders working in unison to help students succeed academically. In some situations, a single teacher may be responsible for over 100 students. 1. The very thought of sending kids to school year-round makes some parents cringe. The requirements for total education time do not change just because a school district goes to a 4-day school week. 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. Additional learning time as well as improved schedule alignment would make the lives of families noticeably more pleasant. Read the Full Transcript Judy Woodruff: For many American students and. Student performance may improve with a 4-day school week. A poll where 2,700 random people were polled about 67% favoured a 4 day school week(university of Scranton). Students already feel like their school day is too long. Research has shown that in this configuration, students who are low-income, minority, or special needs dont fare too well academically. 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. In this article, we will examine this question in depth. . Every community has their own unique requirements that must be addressed by school scheduling. Those that had implemented the alternative scheduling found that student attendance could rise by more than 20. With the 4-day schedule, another 1.5 hours is added to their school day, every day. The Cons. For school districts struggling with funding issues, the potential savings here could save the budget. There are many changes with switching the school days. When properly implemented, extended learning time programs have the potential to increase students academic progress as well as their social and emotional development. Should the school day start later pros and cons? 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. Other schools are worried about academic performance. Opportunity to relax and really immerse yourself in the experience. Since the approach to curriculum development and pedagogical style varies by state and district, data must be disaggregated to evaluate specific impact. Many school 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 ). It may reduce the number of discipline referrals for students. In Lexington, Oregon, Morrow County was able to save about $250,000 their first year, but out of a budget of $14 million. It can also be difficult to monitor, as students may be able to find ways to sneak in a recess break even when they are supposed to be punished. Other pros and cons exist in the school lunch debate. 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. One internet search reveals a wealth of opinions on both sides of the issue, and each argument sheds light on the topic. Year-round schooling has been proposed as a better option for students than a traditional 9-month schedule. Pro: Education is a priority, and funding should not hold back efforts to provide more effective academic preparation for students. The benefits of going to a 4-day week for schooling is that it offers teachers and students an additional day for rest every week. This would help not only our school but also the parents if they cant afford the gas. Finally, teachers and students would have better relationships as they spend more time together instead of being rushed. While small gains were made in reading, math and writing, there were no statistically significant results for children in the areas of receptive language, social skills or vocabulary. Spread the loveThe Talent Search Initiative has as its aim; the identification of high-performing students by organizing specific tests. Lets face it our best school memories arent from tests or pop quizzes. 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. 2 Students Should Be Getting More Rest In addition to students having more time to focus on important activities, a shorter school day would give them more time to rest. recess is not only ineffective but also harmful to students who may feel that the punishment is excessive. 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. 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. Spread the loveWe all have our heroes. The idea of having a four-day school has been around for several decades, and has been considered at least since the 1930s, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Too Early to Tell By having more instruction in class, students can not only get better test scores, but they can also get better grades. Special correspondent Lisa Stark of Education Week reports on the pros and cons for students, families and schools. The four-day school is a phenomenon that has been sweeping across the U.S. 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. His conclusion was that the best way to solve poverty was to educate the children in public schools. 6. Teachers are frequently overworked and required to perform tasks that are outside their job description. Administrative staff are required to be on-site, sports Schools may even have to purchase lights for after school activities. Such as emotional and behavioral problems, violence, depression, alcohol use, impaired cognitive function, etc. Another is that shorter days could lead to shorter attention spans in classrooms. It involves increasing communication and various forms of interaction between people of different nations, ethnicities and cultures. 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. Students follow the same type of pattern. These school districts are typically in isolated regions, are rural, and have a student body that is fewer than 500 students. 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. The disadvantage is that more time does not equate to more learning. Shorter School Days Are the Way. Some school districts have reported saving the fifth day, but they forget, they will still be open and running activities But others are worried about when kids should be in school. 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. If no other elements are in place, it is highly unlikely that extending the school day would result in increased student 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. More time to focus on mental health In the typical K-12 schooling model, mental health education is too often shunted aside. Lets take a look at some proof. What are the pros and cons for students, teachers and school boards? 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. There are approximately 300 children enrolled in California Elementary School under the age of eight. According to a Center for American Progress study, traditional school schedules are out of sync with the current economic environment. You should approach these strategies with your childs teacher instead of punishing him or her. Other Debates. schedule, the district adds 40 or so minutes to make up for the time lost on What are the pros and cons of shorter school week? Long school days, on the other hand, can present some challenges and, at the very least, unsatisfactory outcomes. Most students, especially younger ones, find that the traditional school schedule is already too long. The standard requirement for schools is 180 days or an average range of 990-1080 hours. 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. The class periods would probably be over an hour long but longer school days is a must if you for sure have four day weeks. 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. The average length of the K-12 school day is 8:30 to 3:00, engaging U.S. students in school for 6.64 hours a day over the span of 180 school days. 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. These are the key points that must be addressed first. Sports schedules are easier to manage. Many recommend that teens get at least eight hours of sleep to feel well rested and . Spread the loveThis term refers to the grouping of students by mental capability, aptitude, or hobbies. Why weekends should be longer for students? The decision to implement such a schedule must therefore be handled at the local level. Although the final outcome was beneficial the origins of the extended day was not welcomed. The Rochester City Council established the Extended Learning Time initiative as part of Rochesters ongoing commitment to education. Decreased need to re-teach skills after long vacations, allowing teachers to use classroom time more efficiently. Parents can drop-off their kids in the morning, then pick them up in the afternoon, without worrying about work. At the same time, teacher attendance rates also rose, which is a trend still seen in these districts, 20+ years later. 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. Oklahoma Department of Education examined the economic effect of going to a However, these basics vary, depending on a company's policy. Saving on utilities school buses, and long term building wear and tear. It also means that they would have more time to mark the voluminous quantity of homework that they have to complete every night. In addition, they are given a week off for major holidays and 2 weeks of summer vacation at their parents discretion. . 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. The average national cost that schools need to pay for each students bus transportation is $459. Easier to recruit employees. From the moment you walk into the second you walk out. In Peetz Colorado a debate is going on four a four day school week. They also said students can gain more time for fun and still receive an excellent education. They can explore and discover various hobbies and interests, maintain their stress levels and get more sleep. Spread the loveAre you looking for ways to teach students appropriate mealtime manners? The 180-day calendar is shorter than that of other industrialized countries, and some schools even find ways to shave days even further. In the United States, about 50% of all companies are either offering or thinking about offering a 4-day workweek for their workers. Employment opportunities with a 3-day weekend are increasing. The Advantages and Disadvantages of Extended School Days Advantage: More time to devote to learning. On top of that, you will likely only be taking 1-2 classes at a time instead of four or more. Shorter school weeks or longer school days are reasonable solutions when there is a shortage of funding, or possible budget cuts coming to the school district. When students are too tired or mentally exhausted to concentrate at the end of the day, the last hour becomes meaningless. A potential decline in academic performance for vulnerable groups. 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. 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. 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.
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