Why shorter school weeks are better?

Shorter school weeks may improve teacher and student morale, reduce burnout, and provide more flexibility for extracurricular activities. Longer days, on the other hand, could allow for more in-depth instruction, additional enrichment activities, and better utilization of resources.

What are the benefits of a shorter school week?

Proponents of a four-day school week argue that it offers several benefits, including cost savings, improved student attendance and increased teacher morale. By reducing the number of school days, schools can save money on transportation, food and energy costs.

Why are 5 day school weeks better than 4?

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.

Does shortening the school week impact student performance?

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.

Is a shorter school week less stressful?

A four day school week will help alleviate some of the rising stress levels in our students, while aiming to enhance student, teacher, and parent mental health. It will help provide better opportunities, allow for time to strengthen families, and shift towards student-centered learning.

More schools switching to 4-day week

Why is having a 4 day school week bad?

By moving to a four-day school week, a district inadvertently places working parents in a position of doling out more money for childcare—something many cannot afford. In addition, some families experiencing food insecurity rely on public schools for nearly half of their meals.

What are the cons of a shorter school week?

One study found that the four-day week may hurt reading scores more than math scores. A large study released last year found that the shorter schedule held back student achievement in small-town and suburban districts but had little or no effect in rural districts.

Does a 4 day school week improve grades?

The researchers found a four-day school week had a statistically significant impact on math scores for fifth-grade students, while reading scores were not affected.

What states have a 4 day school week?

Oregon, Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado have had four-day schools for a long time. They are a more recent addition in places like Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas and Missouri. The states are gatekeepers in a way, mandating a minimum number of instructional days or hours.

Are 4 day school weeks better?

Proponents of the schedule claim that it improves school climate and student behavior, but the evidence is mixed. In support of the claim, research shows the four-day week significantly reduces high school bullying and fighting incident rates and increases the amount of sleep elementary students get.

Does a 4 day school week improve mental health?

Rand.org found a 4-day week had other positive effects on: Reduced parental stress. Improved student mental health. Improved school climate.

What are the disadvantages of longer school days?

Longer school days could result in attention deficit and fatigue, making the extra class time ineffective. When students are too tired or mentally exhausted to concentrate, the last hour of the day becomes useless.

Will Florida have 4 day school weeks?

Volusia County started four-day school weeks for one of its charter schools this year, and Pasco County will have "mini-breaks" for students in October, February and April created by three shortened school weeks next year.

What are the arguments for shorter school days?

Why should school days not be longer?

With such long hours, students are often tired and not able to give their full attention to the lessons. This means that they are not getting the best education possible. It is also important to consider the health of the students.

What country has the shortest school day?

With varying school schedules around the world, you may be wondering which country has the shortest school day. If you're short on time, here's a quick answer to your question: Finland has one of the shortest average school days in the world at just 5 hours.

What state has the least school days?

What State Has the Fewest Required School Days? Besides the states that do not have a required minimum number of school days each year, Colorado has the fewest required school days in the United States, at 160.

Which country has 6 day school week?

Israel is the only country in the developed world where children go to school six days a week.

Which state has most school days?

Four states require more than 180 days, with Kansas as the leader. The Sunflower State mandates 186 days for kindergarten through 11th grade (and 181 days for 12th grade). Overall, the average requirement, among the states that have one, is 179 days. A minimum school year of 180 days has been the norm for a long time.

Why is school 5 days better?

Pros of a 5-day work-school week: It is a standard work-week schedule that many people are accustomed to, and it provides a sense of routine and structure. It allows for a consistent work-life balance and provides a predictable schedule for families to plan their activities around.

Is a 4 day school week better for teachers?

A shorter week makes it easier to staff schools, a particularly challenging task for rural schools, due to their geographic isolation and lower salaries. Proponents of the four-day week also say a shorter workweek could get teachers to reconsider leaving their job, or bring retirees back into the classroom.

Why 23 Utah schools have moved to 4 day weeks?

On the positive side, some schools report that four-day school weeks are a boon for educators because they have an extra day to plan lessons, grade assignments and attend teacher training opportunities.

Are Nebraska schools going to a 4 day week?

Instead, it voted, unanimously: Yes. This fall, Weeping Water became at least the sixth Nebraska school district to adopt a four-day week. It's a move that thrilled the school's teachers, burnt out after teaching through a pandemic. And it's worked better than expected for many parents.

What are the disadvantages of a 7 period school day?

With fewer classes come less credit opportunities for students. With seven classes versus eight, students are limited in the classes they can take and are losing a credit. This situation alone will leave some students facing the problem of not having enough credits to graduate.