Required fields are marked *, on Why School Days Should Be Shorter? Teachers in Seattle are deciding how to use an additional 20 minutes on top of the usual school day. We can all agree that school feels like it lasts forever. Some districts take just one week off at Christmas instead of two weeks because of these conflicts. School districts save money. Most students, especially younger ones, find that the traditional school schedule is already too long. If schools only had one day off per week, millions of dollars would be saved. 1. Students are tired and cranky by the end of the 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. The very thought of sending kids to school year-round makes some parents cringe. In general, taking away recess as punishment may be seen as unfair or too harsh, especially for young children. 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. To compare, a regular semester generally lasts 16-18 weeks. The. Research has shown that in this configuration, students who are low-income, minority, or special needs dont fare too well academically. School districts consider shorter school days for several reasons, including saving money and providing students the ability to participate in more extracurricular activities. Schools may even have to purchase lights for after school activities. Those that had implemented the alternative scheduling found that student attendance could rise by more than 20. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, students are less active when they are not allowed to recess during the school day due to bad classroom behavior. A potential decline in academic performance for vulnerable groups. 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. Dr. Kelly S. Meier - Updated May 03, 2019, Copyright 2023 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Education, Explore state by state cost analysis of US colleges in an interactive article, NavajoCode: Unbiased Longer School Days Pros and Cons. This has been a hot topic especially the states that dont have as large of an economy. Better Employee Engagement A 4 day week can lead to happier and more committed employees. Keeping schools open five days a week is not financially feasible. Shifting to this schedule does have certain disadvantages, especially for working parents. 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. The 180-day calendar is shorter than that of other industrialized countries, and some schools even find ways to shave days even further. recess has numerous benefits, including assisting students in reducing aggression and improving learning. Sacrifices Family Time. That also makes scheduling problematic for many families. New Haven teachers in an unprecedented move allowed their teacher unions to take over the rewriting of their contracts. Most students in the four-day districts80 percent of high school students and 90 percent of elementary studentsspent their "off day" at home. 2. For the parents of younger students, an additional full day of daycare may need to be scheduled every week instead of a partial day. 5. Less time in school could allow students the freedom to discover other interests that are fulfilling and stimulating. At the same time, teacher attendance rates also rose, which is a trend still seen in these districts, 20+ years later. This issue occurs at all grade levels. In many cases, it is in the best interests of students to reduce costs and have minimal impact on instruction. In the United States, about 50% of all companies are either offering or thinking about offering a 4-day workweek for their workers. But the extra money hasn't gone into teachers' salaries, which have dropped on average from . Financial problems is was most of a four day school week is about. 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. There is no one answer to this question as it can depend on individual circumstances. flexibility to teachers schedules and as a result, makes their jobs more ", 21 Payday Loan Industry Statistics, Trends & Analysis, 100 Best Side Hustles for Teens to Make Money, 10 Proven Psychological Pricing Strategies with Examples, 100 Office Etiquette Rules You Need to Know, 50 Best Business Letter Closings of All-Time. The requirements for total education time do not change just because a school district goes to a 4-day school week. 3. The shorter the school day, the better? 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. Just 11 of the districts had enrollments of more than 1,000 students. Compacting school into just four days a week leaves more time for kids to spend with family, friends and outside interests. the fifth day, but they forget, they will still be open and running activities districts think they will save tons of money by cutting operational costs on by elenam112 states This means the school would be open longer, resulting in larger electrical and heating bills. Schools would need to stay open later at night for after school activities and stay open early in the morning for students who are dropped off early. Increases student attendance. There are approximately 300 children enrolled in California Elementary School under the age of eight. Kids already spend a very long time each week in the school and away from their family. There are 21 states that have four-day school districts. Approximately 1,800 schools in the U.S. have extended learning hours, but there are many pros and cons of extended school days. Spread the loveGlobalization is the growing interconnectedness of countries around the world. Students who attend year-round school have the same number of school days as their counterparts following a traditional schedule. If so, keep reading. The disadvantage is that more time does not equate to more learning. If a student lives an hour outside of town and have an 8am school bell to meet, then theyre on the bus at 7am. Our general school hours run from 9 am - 2 pm, with extra . Does time of day affect student learning? That is a lot of time taken away, but if the school days were shortened, you would have a lot more time to do your activities. 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. Students in a 4-day school week are packing 180 days into a condensed 145-day schedule. The major pros and cons of a 4-day school week suggest that it can save money for districts, which means taxpayers benefit. Black Boys in Crisis: Why Arent They Reading? There are a few potential drawbacks to shorter school days. Granby School District in Colorado shifted to a 4-day schedule for their 1,100 students. In Lexington, Oregon, Morrow County was able to save about $250,000 their first year, but out of a budget of $14 million. Pros and cons of a four day working week. One of the primary motivations for adopting the four-day week is financial savings for the school district. Additional costs savings from a shorter day include less . Another is that shorter days could lead to shorter attention spans in classrooms. The Cons. Dr. Meier is is a regular contributor for The Equity Network and has worked in education for more than 30 years. The ability to express oneself via electives can make children happier and more cooperative in the classroom. 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 ). These are more reasons CHS should move to a four day school week. Shortening the school day by even an hour or two can allow a district to save dramatically on its utility costs. By shifting to a 4-day schedule, it becomes easier to transport students to all after-school events and activities because there is an extra day available to plan activities without running into mandatory school times. Data is an important variable if youre considering the longer school days pros and cons list. These will be some pros of a four day school week. What's the Difference Between Burnout and Demoralization, and What Can Teachers Do About It? Florida's inflation-adjusted education spending per student has roughly doubled in the last 30 years -- to $7,473 in 2000-01. They just dont have time to get everything done. Also, there have been studies that found that special populations do not thrive under this configuration. In 1095or in 1905, depending on your sourcesRoberto Nevelis of Venice, Italy, is often credited with inventing the concept of homework. Read the Full Transcript Judy Woodruff: For many American students and. Public school everything for schoolchildren and students. To be competitive in a global market, students need to be exposed to a wide variety of subject matter. The districts which offer the 4-day work week receive more applications and more qualified applicants than the other school districts. Teachers will have more leisure time to spend with their family as a result of the reduced school days. 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. Many of these schools are already operating on an alternative schedule because that is what works best for their community. Although the final outcome was beneficial the origins of the extended day was not welcomed. Here are some additional key points to think about when looking at the pros and cons of a 4-day school week. In the United States, the average school day is around six and a half hours long. Most school districts are sticking to the 5-day schedule. 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. Decreased need to re-teach skills after long vacations, allowing teachers to use classroom time more efficiently. Spread the loveEducation is a collaborative process, as it takes many stakeholders working in unison to help students succeed academically. that the flexibility of the 4-day work week helps them get more done. All rights reserved. Why weekends should be longer for students? The school districts in New Mexico are one of the best examples of this benefit. The school day had to accommodate available daylight and the requirements of helping with the family farm. Many recommend that teens get at least eight hours of sleep to feel well rested and . Year-round education (YRE) is being considered or adopted by some districts. When teachers are more effective and efficient, student performance follows a similar pattern. 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. Some are even cutting arts programs or shortening the school week to balance the budget. What they discovered was unexpected. Cons of the 4-Day School Week. Staying at school for the majority of the day isn't allowing me . Which one is the best? Some educators believe that extending the school day until 5:00 p.m. is the answer. Having well-rested and happy employees can increase their overall work engagement and productivity. 1. All of these consequences just because nobody wants to shorten the school day. These crimes occurred all during the week, The average national cost that schools need to pay for each students bus transportation is $459. 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. schedule, the district adds 40 or so minutes to make up for the time lost on By switching to a 4-day school week, the number of transitions can be reduced because more time can be spent on each subject. One is that it would likely mean that teachers would have to teach more classes, which could lead to burnout. 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. Cons: The obvious reason for not shortening school days is the lack of learning time. It is also good for teachers and the whole school. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. There are positive outcomes that may occur, but there are negative outcomes that must also be managed. 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. If so, keep reading. In addition, they are given a week off for major holidays and 2 weeks of summer vacation at their parents discretion. STP every day allows students to do their schoolwork, resulting in reduced overall stress. 6. When I was a teacher, many moons ago, this was a fringe schooling schedule only practiced by rural school districts. Going to the 4-day schedule can create scheduling conflicts with other districts, particularly with sporting events, performances, and groups like 4-H. 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. 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. 1. For school districts struggling with funding issues, the potential savings here could save the budget. 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. Out of a budget of $5.5 million, they saved $206,000. Teachers have more time to prepare lessons and collaborate during the day. The four-day week, according to the research, is far more cost-effective than the traditional five-day week. In New Mexico, 18 of the states 89 school districts are currently using this alternative schedule. 3. However, these basics vary, depending on a company's policy. 2. Over the next three years, the school district was able to save 2% on their overall costs each year, for a total of $200,000. In According to The Notebook, longer school days add to low energy and exhaustion. Staff recruitment is easier with the 4-day school week for school districts. Con: School districts across the U.S. are struggling to make ends meet. Many break times have been incorporated in the calendar, such as morning recess, afternoon recess, snack time, and so on. Many schools are, in fact, offering year-round services now to accommodate the changing needs of their communities. In 2009, there were 3,000 schools in the United States operating on a year-round basis. Changing the system could result in many more. Parents can drop-off their kids in the morning, then pick them up in the afternoon, without worrying about work. There are some drawbacks to shorter school days, as well. If something goes wrong . Practices for sports are still held on the fifth day, as are teacher conferences, staff development opportunities, and required janitorial work. This occurs because a large number of students are moving around the school campus. Children need the opportunity to rest and re-energize, and theyre often overextended with activities, homework and part-time jobs. 2. The four-day week did not appear to affect. 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. Delaying school start times is associated with a decrease in bedtimes and an increase in sleep for every minute the school day is delayed. An eight-hour day is pretty undesirable for elementary-aged kids. 4. Long school days can cause eating problems for students who don't eat at school, or who use up all their energy while learning. Eleven states set the minimum number of instructional days between 160 and 179 days, and two states set the minimum above 180 days (Kansas and Ohio). Find out about families that swap a shorter summer break for learning time that's more continuous. Year-Round Schedules Many people think of the school year as starting in August or at the beginning of September and continuing for 10 months. 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). Money is saved on that day because they don't have to run lights, heater or AC. Extending the school year may help make teaching a full-time, more lucrative profession for educators if year-round schools can cut costs through . According to new research, the four-day week is a popular way for parents and students to spend quality time together. Since an entire day is cut off the week, that extra time needs to be made up during the remaining four days. In 1995, 84 school districts were studied that had already implemented a 4-day school week. Their students were more focused because they were more rested, which equated to fewer classroom disruptions. Sports schedules are easier to manage. In the 4-day school week A new educational model could be implemented: 9-to-5 schools. Changing the times could increase attendance by 1%, which could bring in $40 million more. That means the average cost, per student, is about $700. Extending the school day is a hot topic for educational policy making bodies. These schools save all this money from just switching to a shorter week. Every community has their own unique requirements that must be addressed by school scheduling. The disadvantage is that more time does not equate to more learning. One internet search reveals a wealth of opinions on both sides of the issue, and each argument sheds light on the topic. With short school days, students can devote a fair share of time to other meaningful areas in their life, such as socializing and simply being a kid. Some families find that aligning the school day with typical parent work schedules is a family-friendly approach. There are various school days in the United States. Because of this, school districts dont have a hard Con: A lengthened school day may impede upon extracurricular activities, especially in secondary education. 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 YRE, the number of days in school equals the number of days in a calendar year (180 days). Small group learning with discussion, for example, increases the information retention rate for students up to 80%. If the school days are shortened, then students will not be able to learn enough because of the short school day. Since the approach to curriculum development and pedagogical style varies by state and district, data must be disaggregated to evaluate specific impact. We call for a relatively radical and certainly quite comprehensive reorganization of Americas P-20 system. 2. Second, it would allow students to get more sleep, which is important for their health and well-being. The organization 4 Day Week Global sponsored the program. Obesity, anxiety and stress, as well as lower grades, can all be attributed to a lack of sleep, according to the National Sleep Foundation. But others are worried about when kids should be in school. The most popular is a 32-hour work week, which means people work 8 hours per day, 4 hours in a week. time attracting qualified applicants. I am glad that you asked. The length of the school day in China varies from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. With a shortened school day, the amount of instructional time would be reduced. In Colorado, 31 of the states 176 school districts are currently using a 4-day school week. Despite the fact that a few studies have recently been published, there is no significant research on the four-day school week. Teachers are attracted by the prospect of having a shorter work week. More rest then equates to dealing with less stress over the course of a school year. Pros and Cons of a Shorter Workweek. Students will have extra time outside of school to devote to other essential elements of their life as a result of this change. Some families find that aligning the school day with typical parent work schedules is a family-friendly approach. Spread the loveBeing a teacher is a tough job. You have a lifespan that is nine years less than people who graduate: Statistically, you may have a shorter lifespan than people who have gone to school and have been empowered. Longer school days make no sense when there is so much else we could be doing with our time. I believe that if we go to a four day school week that it would help the kids physically, mentally, and financially. 4. 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. 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. Shorter work weeks can improve employment productivity and provide families with more meaningful time together.
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