Those human beings that seem larger than life and almost achieve Godlike status. One of the biggest concerns of a 4-day school week is the length of seat time that younger students must complete. Other concerns with early school start times and the resulting insufficient sleep include: Increased likelihood for participating in risk-taking behaviors, such as bullying and fighting. There is no one answer to this question as every disabled students experience is unique. 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? Decreased need to re-teach skills after long vacations, allowing teachers to use classroom time more efficiently. You still have to go to practice, and dont forget the piles of homework that need done. Your typical school week: Monday-Friday with the hours sometime between 7 am- 4 pm. 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. The article Should School Stay Earlier? Required fields are marked *, on Why School Days Should Be Shorter? Having students to fit 5 days' worth of classroom time into 4 days would make for a tiring schedule, where many of the younger school children would find it very difficult to focus on their study for such long periods. Sometimes, schools are forced to travel during the school week to play some games or attend certain events. 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. Kids already spend a very long time each week in the school and away from their family. Your email address will not be published. There are numerous advantages and disadvantages to each. 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. A poll where 2,700 random people were polled about 67% favoured a 4 day school week(university of Scranton). This provided the teacher with more freedom with curriculum and time management. If so, keep reading. With the long break of summer, many people prefer the short breaks of year round schools. Games occur in the evening, often on the weekend. Moving to the 4-day schedule shifts student movement patterns, reducing the number of lost transition minutes. Anecdotal evidence also suggests that attendance improves; parents and teachers can schedule doctor's appointments and other weekday commitments for Fridays rather than during school days. When the new school day was implemented, the system was relieved of the need to cram math, reading, and science into a short period of time, allowing for more time to be spent on subjects that students enjoy and teachers enjoy. 2. This solution has many mixed opinions from parents, teachers and. 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. The Pros and Cons to Longer School Days. These school districts are typically in isolated regions, are rural, and have a student body that is fewer than 500 students. List of Cons of Implementing 4-Day School Weeks 1. Some students and parents have been advocating for shorter school days, and there is some evidence to suggest that shorter days could be beneficial. Since the approach to curriculum development and pedagogical style varies by state and district, data must be disaggregated to evaluate specific impact. However, disabled students often face additional challenges in accessing education and achieving academic success. There tends to be less student exhaustion, which allows them to focus more on the learning process. 1. 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. 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. Over the course of a 2-year period on this alternative schedule, they reported up to a 20% increase in student attendance. Some families find that aligning the school day with typical parent work schedules is a family-friendly approach. 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. In the 4-day school week 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. Also, since special populations fare poorly in this configuration, the costs of One school said that they have saved a teacher in diesel fuel costs (chiaramonte 2 ). Your email address will not be published. . Parents can drop-off their kids in the morning, then pick them up in the afternoon, without worrying about work. These schools save all this money from just switching to a shorter week. 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%. Data is an important variable if youre considering the longer school days pros and cons list. The four-day week did not appear to affect. Do students learn better in shorter classes? 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. Because the four-day school week has only been around for a decade or so, we simply dont have enough time, data, or research to make a definitive declaration. It is possible to have a negative impact on some laboratory classes by reducing the number of minutes in class each day. 2. 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. 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. So it is illogical to think that a four day week will help other grade levels. What are the pros and cons for students, teachers and school boards? Special correspondent Lisa Stark of Education Week reports on the pros and cons for students, families and schools. However, these basics vary, depending on a company's policy. When looking at the benefits of a longer school year, the opportunity for expanding subject matter and the individualized needs of students are factors. In Alabama, the school year lasts 180 days and the school day lasts 7.03 hours. Schools are facing many issues today. When teachers are more effective and efficient, student performance follows a similar pattern. Financial problems is was most of a four day school week is about. Increasing the length of school days may result in attention deficit and exhaustion, rendering the additional class time unproductive. 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. Teachers can use more time in the day to go on field trips or expand content areas. Older students can spend time engaging in resum-building public service or paid work. How would it sound if school weeks were only four days long and, in doing that, it saved your school money at the same time? They dont usually run wild on the last day of school, instead working, making phone calls, or spending time with family. If so, keep reading. Shorter work weeks can improve employment productivity and provide families with more meaningful time together. These actions often negate the benefits of the 3-day weekend because it really isnt a true 3-day weekend. That reduces the effective time they would have for homework once they actually make it home. Finally, some parents worry that shorter days could mean that their children would have less . It can help teachers and students better manage the process of learning. over 1 million dollars on utilities, busing, and labor costs. It is important to consider all of the factors before making a decision. 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. Staff recruitment is easier with the 4-day school week for school districts. The move toward a shorter workweek is gaining momentum. Some school districts have reported saving How do longer school days affect students? After 12 hours of being away from home, students struggle to find time to study during the 4-day school week. Because of this, school districts dont have a hard The very thought of sending kids to school year-round makes some parents cringe. For school districts struggling with funding issues, the potential savings here could save the budget. After-school activities begin at that point, which means some students dont make it back home until 8pm that night. Some educators believe that extending the school day until 5:00 p.m. is the answer. 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. Students who attend year-round school have the same number of school days as their counterparts following a traditional schedule. Easier to recruit employees. time attracting qualified applicants. Adds flexibility to teacher's schedules. In many cases, it is in the best interests of students to reduce costs and have minimal impact on instruction. But recently, there has been a move towards shorter weeks across the United States. A three-day weekend allows for extra leisure time, as well as a reduction in commute and energy usage. In general, ELT has received positive feedback; however, some schools have had more difficult transitions than others. There are positive outcomes that may occur, but there are negative outcomes that must also be managed. 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. Does this sound exciting and rich with possibilities? Schools are able to switch to a four-day week by simply increasing the length of their school day. There is a variety of emotional and behavioral problems, depression, alcohol use, and impaired cognitive function that can contribute to this. 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. 4. Overall, there are pros and cons to shorter school days. 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. It has been so problematic that in Colorado, some urban districts which switched to a 4-day school week have gone back to the traditional scheduling instead. The University of New Mexico Newsroom: Research Study Yields Unexpected Conclusion About Longer School Years. 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. Why should school weeks be shorter? Advantage: More time to devote to learning. A potential decline in academic performance for vulnerable groups. Why did they switch to 4-day school weeks? The school day was originally created to meet the needs of farmers. Many of these schools are already operating on an alternative schedule because that is what works best for their community. Saving on utilities school buses, and long term building wear and tear. The Cons of Longer School Days. 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. In Colorado, 31 of the states 176 school districts are currently using a 4-day school week. These will be some pros of a four day school week. 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. 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. 2023 The Black Well Firm. Weekend sporting events make it easier to get students to them, especially when they are an away event, because the school day doesnt interfere on a Friday. There are approximately 300 children enrolled in California Elementary School under the age of eight. To avoid this issue, many school districts have considered shifting to a 4-day school week. What Grades Is Elementary School? Delaying school start times is associated with a decrease in bedtimes and an increase in sleep for every minute the school day is delayed. 2. Although sleep is a huge and major part, it is not the only part. disabled students may also find it difficult to participate in extracurricular activities and socialise with their peers. Keeping schools open five days a week is not financially feasible. According to him, providing education to all would be beneficial to society. Children have more time to participate in other activities that help them learn more. 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. If school doesnt get out until 4pm, then the student makes it home at 5pm. the fifth day, but they forget, they will still be open and running activities For the parents of younger students, an additional full day of daycare may need to be scheduled every week instead of a partial day. Teachers have more time to prepare lessons and collaborate during the day. Students that sit in lecture classrooms retain 10% or less of the information that is presented to them. The Chattooga County School District reported similar results from their trial with this schedule as well. When properly implemented, extended learning time programs have the potential to increase students academic progress as well as their social and emotional development. Four day school weeks have been discussed by many schools, and some schools already have them. Younger people shouldn't have to work as long as some adults do. Sara Blackwell teaches Employment Law at University of South Florida in Tampa and she is a published author. Teachers report Suffolk Public Schools went with a 7:25 am start time for their district and are saving almost $700,000 per year. 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. Finally, some parents worry that shorter days could mean that their children would have less time to participate in extracurricular activities. Students are engaged more fully when their school schedule is expanded, and they learn more efficiently when they are exposed to a more stimulating environment. One is that it would likely mean that teachers would have to teach more classes, which could lead to burnout. 1. on those days off. There are potential savings to food programs and other important areas of infrastructure because the school district is closed 1 additional day each week. Instead, an investment should be made in improving teaching strategies and new technology that could transform the learning process. Con: A lengthened school day may impede upon extracurricular activities, especially in secondary education. Longer school days may lead to attention deficit and fatigue, making the extra class time ineffective. They were located in 7 western states in the U.S. and all but 13 of them identified themselves as being a rural school district. The Trump Administrations Vindictive Attack On Federal Workers: The Shutdown Of The Office Of Special Counsel, Michigan State University College Of Law: A Top Law School, Why Union Safe Company Is The Best Choice For Protecting Your Home Or Business, The Life Of John Laurens: A Patriot Lawyer And Army Officer. There is no one answer to this question as it can depend on individual circumstances. It involves increasing communication and various forms of interaction between people of different nations, ethnicities and cultures. In this article, we will examine this question in depth. The disadvantage is that more time does not equate to more learning. They balk at the idea of kids attending schools with no summer break. Shorter school days should be used in the United States education system since they have several advantages. Students follow the same type of pattern. This would help not only our school but also the parents if they cant afford the gas. They need a shorter school day so they can have more time to relax and play. She is the author and co-author of 12 books and serves as a consultant in K-12 and higher education. Examining the pros and cons of year-round school gives insight into why some education leaders push for its adoption while others argue for sticking to the traditional 10-month 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. 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. 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. It changes the holiday schedules for the school district. These are more reasons CHS should move to a four day school week. In the United States, only five states require recess in elementary schools, with Texas not one of them. Most students, especially younger ones, find that the traditional school schedule is already too long. I say this because we would have to start. Spread the loveGlobalization is the growing interconnectedness of countries around the world. One of the primary reasons why school districts, especially rural districts, save money when they shift to a 4-day schedule is because there are fewer transportation costs. Our general school hours run from 9 am - 2 pm, with extra . In 2009, there were 3,000 schools in the United States operating on a year-round basis. Shorter School Days Are the Way. Longer school days make no sense when there is so much else we could be doing with our time. In Lexington, Oregon, Morrow County was able to save about $250,000 their first year, but out of a budget of $14 million. In addition, they are given a week off for major holidays and 2 weeks of summer vacation at their parents discretion. Extending the school year may help make teaching a full-time, more lucrative profession for educators if year-round schools can cut costs through . In comparison to 2007, the number of public schools that offer year-round programs has increased by 26%. 2. There are some drawbacks to shorter school days, as well. How To Switch School Districts Without Moving? This issue occurs at all grade levels. Some research indicates there may be slight academic benefits to extending the school day. The challenges of implementing such a schedule for parents, administrators, and even some teachers have caused some Colorado school districts to return to the traditional schedule instead of the alternative 4-day schedule. four-day week across 16 school districts. Alexander Alvarez, Reporter November 16, 2021. Spread the loveThis term refers to the grouping of students by mental capability, aptitude, or hobbies. Rural school districts and small school districts benefit the most from a 4-day schedule because of their natural isolation. 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. 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. For non year-round schools the dropout rate is 5%, which is more than all year-round schools. At the same time, teacher attendance rates also rose, which is a trend still seen in these districts, 20+ years later. 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. Long summers are known to cause "summer slide," or the decline of academic skills and knowledge over the course of the extended vacation. Year-round schooling has been proposed as a better option for students than a traditional 9-month schedule. This leads to added costs that some families, living paycheck to paycheck, may not be able to afford. Good for working parents: This would lead to less wraparound care for working . There are several major pros and cons of a 4-day school week which must be considered by school districts looking to make this kind of change. 2. flexibility to teachers schedules and as a result, makes their jobs more They can supervise their children at the bus stop in rural districts as well. That means one of the biggest expenses for the district is immediately cut by 20%. When it comes to school, we most likely understand what its like to go to school all year. Students with less sleep have difficulty paying attention in class and are likely to have lower grades. Every community has their own unique requirements that must be addressed by school scheduling. The Advantages and Disadvantages of Extended School Days Advantage: More time to devote to learning. 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. Spread the loveBeing a teacher is a tough job. In order to squeeze the regular five-day workload into four days, it would necessitate the closure of vital services on that additional day and the lengthening of working days on the other days. If the school days are shortened, then students will not be able to learn enough because of the short school day. The National School Board Association estimates that approximately 135,000 guns are brought to America's 85,000 public schools each day. Many school districts still operate Monday-Friday, even on a 4-day week. The evaluated skills include science, math, and reading. Accidents, absences, and absences all fall on the decline, and students academic performance rises. Thats two hours of lost time for farm chores, homework, or other responsibilities that rural families have more often than urban or suburban families. In There is the possibility of making up for lost time, especially those who are at a disadvantage due to the digital divide. Spread the loveThis program assesses 15-year-old students schooling in countries that form part of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. The disadvantage is that more time does not equate to more learning. The driving force behind the proposal to lengthen the school day is the assertion that more instructional time would yield greater academic gains. That also means some families, with children who are old enough, can eliminate daycare expenses completely with this type of scheduling option. 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. schedule, the district adds 40 or so minutes to make up for the time lost on On top of that, you will likely only be taking 1-2 classes at a time instead of four or more. To compare, a regular semester generally lasts 16-18 weeks. 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. (Lewis) In Bonneville, Idaho the school started later in the day which resulted in absences dropping 15%. But slowly over the nation, schools are switching to a four day school week. It is also good for teachers and the whole school. The Massachusetts Expanded Learning Time Initiative has already benefited 19 schools and over 10,000 students. Those that had implemented the alternative scheduling found that student attendance could rise by more than 20. 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. Defining Moments Are What Make Good School Leaders Great, Year-Round Schooling: How it Affects Students, Why you need a multi-tiered behavioral support approach, Understanding Strategy and Strategic Leadership, Teaching & Learning Strategies, Concepts, and Terms That Every Teacher Must Know: Letters DIA-DIG, First-Year Teachers: 4 Reasons You Need a Mentor Right Now, 18 Reasons the U.S. Education System is Failing, The Top 5 Unexpected Benefits of Early Childhood Education. 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. How does it impact your success? According to author accounts, teachers and students suffer as a result of recess being taken away as a punishment for behavior. 1. Spread the loveEducation is a collaborative process, as it takes many stakeholders working in unison to help students succeed academically. A potential decline in academic performance for vulnerable groups. Changing the Moniteau County R-1 School districts schedule to a four-day week would be detrimental to students safety and involvement in activities. The ability to offer a 3-day weekend, every weekend, is a powerful motivator for school districts that are recruiting for quality employees. 1. List of the Major Cons of a 4-Day School Week 1. What they discovered was unexpected. Spread the loveBuilding a culturally responsive classroom is hard. 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. In the United States, $17.5 billion each year is spent on school bus transportation. In the United States, the average school day is around six and a half hours long. What are the pros and cons of longer school days? Colorado has nearly three-quarters of its school districts on a four-day schedule. It almost forces some families into taking their vacation time from work during these holidays to accommodate the needs of their children. School districts save money. Anticipated savings are in transportation, food and food service workers, hourly workers and utilities. Lets face it our best school memories arent from tests or pop quizzes. These are the key points that must be addressed first. There are many changes with switching the school days. Too Early to Tell This has been a hot topic especially the states that dont have as large of an economy. Changing the system could result in many more. The majority of these are found in the western United States, including Oregon, Montana, Idaho, Colorado, and Oklahoma, Thompson said. The Agrarian calendar is rooted in the past. According to The Notebook, longer school days add to low energy and exhaustion. 3. Teachers are attracted by the prospect of having a shorter work 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. Children would get up early and help with chores, go to school and then help out on the farm until sundown. Spread the loveApplying for admission to professional and graduate schools is no less competitive than college/undergraduate admissions. The list just gets longer. They may also experience irritability and fatigue. Over the last century, humans have acquired a staggering amount of knowledge and understanding. Approximately 1,800 schools in the U.S. have extended learning hours, but there are many pros and cons of extended school days. Sacrifices Family Time. It starts too early, ends too late, and occurs far too often. One way to address these issues is to shift the traditional school schedule into a 4-day week. Most parents have employment which requires them to be present for 8 hours per day, 5 days per week. Another potential drawback is that shorter school days could lead to more after-school activities, which could be a problem for working parents. Du Bois Essay Topics to Write about, Most Interesting Volvo Essay Topics to Write about, is a phenomenon that has been sweeping across the U.S. Revisiting Using Edtech for Bullying and Suicide Prevention. Increases student attendance. There were also reduced sick days requested by their teaching staff. When I was a teacher, many moons ago, this was a fringe schooling schedule only practiced by rural school districts.
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