Read the Full Transcript Judy Woodruff: For many American students and. What's the Difference Between Burnout and Demoralization, and What Can Teachers Do About It? 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. Alexander Alvarez, Reporter November 16, 2021. The Advantages and Disadvantages of Extended School Days Advantage: More time to devote to learning. They need a shorter school day so they can have more time to relax and play. Longer school days make no sense when there is so much else we could be doing with our time. To avoid this issue, many school districts have considered shifting to a 4-day school week. Con: A longitudinal study in New Mexico looked at the performance difference in K-3 students from seven different school districts. Who Sang For Troy In High School Musical? The Advantages and Disadvantages of Extended School Days Advantage: More time to devote to learning. But slowly over the nation, schools are switching to a four day school week. There are various school days in the United States. It's almost the end of the first semester, and realizations are starting to set in. These school districts are typically in isolated regions, are rural, and have a student body that is fewer than 500 students. Pro: An extended school day provides more flexibility for parents, eliminating the need for after-school care. Changing the Moniteau County R-1 School districts schedule to a four-day week would be detrimental to students safety and involvement in activities. 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. Spread the loveEducation is a collaborative process, as it takes many stakeholders working in unison to help students succeed academically. When teachers operate under time constraints, in high-pressure situations, then they typically default to a lecture-based teaching style. 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. Underperforming schools and the lagging performance of U.S. students in comparison to other countries is a concern. 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. Parents can drop-off their kids in the morning, then pick them up in the afternoon, without worrying about work. 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. Webster County, Kentucky moved their school district to a 4-day week in 2003. 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. What are the pros and cons of shorter school week? 4-day school weeks add Spread the loveApplying for admission to professional and graduate schools is no less competitive than college/undergraduate admissions. 1. 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? School districts save money. According to him, providing education to all would be beneficial to society. The requirements for total education time do not change just because a school district goes to a 4-day school week. That reduces the effective time they would have for homework once they actually make it home. 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. Should the school day start later pros and cons? Sara Blackwell teaches Employment Law at University of South Florida in Tampa and she is a published author. While some research has shown that increasing the amount of time spent in class can boost student accomplishment, these findings have been influenced by factors such as the classroom atmosphere, the quality of instruction, and students prior knowledge and abilities. Students feel less pressure because they have more time to study at their own pace at home, especially in the later grades. After-school activities begin at that point, which means some students dont make it back home until 8pm that night. ", 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 ability to offer a 3-day weekend, every weekend, is a powerful motivator for school districts that are recruiting for quality employees. The four-day week, according to the research, is far more cost-effective than the traditional five-day week. The pros of year-round school Eliminating any sort of long break from school can improve a child's academic achievement. 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. that the flexibility of the 4-day work week helps them get more done. This creates challenges for families that range from transportation to daycare and could make it difficult for parents to be fully involved with their childs education. In general, ELT has received positive feedback; however, some schools have had more difficult transitions than others. They just dont have time to get everything done. 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? The decision to implement such a schedule must therefore be handled at the local level. Children would get up early and help with chores, go to school and then help out on the farm until sundown. The list just gets longer. She studies hard, does her research and assignments, and goes to class every single day. Schools are facing many issues today. There are positive outcomes that may occur, but there are negative outcomes that must also be managed. Some are facing the debate about whether to keep standardized tests or not. The school day is too long. Why should school weeks be shorter? Most students, especially younger ones, find that the traditional school schedule is already too long. Should schools go to a 4 day school week instead of 5 days? 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. In general, taking away recess as punishment may be seen as unfair or too harsh, especially for young children. It might help school districts save money. In 2009, there were 3,000 schools in the United States operating on a year-round basis. Find out about families that swap a shorter summer break for learning time that's more continuous. Do 4-day school weeks positively affect student outcomes? Since many of the families in these areas run farms, it gives families extra time to get work done during the week. We can all agree that school feels like it lasts forever. 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 districts which offer the 4-day work week receive more applications and more qualified applicants than the other school districts. If a student lives an hour outside of town and have an 8am school bell to meet, then theyre on the bus at 7am. 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. The average time for school that is scheduled in a 4-day week is either 7:30am-5pm or 8am-5:30pm. These are the key points that must be addressed first. 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. Oklahoma Department of Education examined the economic effect of going to a Delaying school start times will assist students in developing the skills required to reach their full potential. 1. The schools who did switch the expenses reduced by 20%, transportation would reduce also by 20%, and the average district could have saving of 5.43% total budget. The reason why school districts are going to a 4 day school week is to save money and the states that you see switching to a 4 days are states that have economic problems such as Oklahoma. It lists the advantages of the four-day model as: Improved morale and fewer absences: A shorter working week leads to less burnout, making staff happier and more focused in . It takes about 4-years for schools to get these students back on track academically. Obesity, anxiety and stress, as well as lower grades, can all be attributed to a lack of sleep, according to the National Sleep Foundation. Well, for some rural schools across the nation, this has become a reality. Long school days can cause eating problems for students who don't eat at school, or who use up all their energy while learning. Pros and cons of shorter work weeks. Better Employee Engagement A 4 day week can lead to happier and more committed employees. The evaluated skills include science, math, and reading. 6. Your typical school week: Monday-Friday with the hours sometime between 7 am- 4 pm. If school doesnt get out until 4pm, then the student makes it home at 5pm. Better sleep: Delayed start time could help teens sleep during . Home Pros and Cons 20 Major Pros and Cons of a 4 Day School Week. What are the advantages and disadvantages of including issues such as child care? Lets take a look at some proof. 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. 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. Elizabeth Perle 1). schedule, the district adds 40 or so minutes to make up for the time lost on Most school districts are sticking to the 5-day schedule. Spread the loveThe International Baccalaureate Program is a very intensive pre-college program in which when students get involved, they get college credit. You are more likely to face poverty: those who drop out of school without any plans, stare at poverty in the face without the option of getting out of it. It may eliminate common holidays, such as Memorial Day or Labor Day, from the schedule. It also means that they would have more time to mark the voluminous quantity of homework that they have to complete every night. 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. As a result, learning is less effective due to budget constraints. Data is an important variable if youre considering the longer school days pros and cons list. The average national cost that schools need to pay for each students bus transportation is $459. This extra hour can make the day pretty long especially for younger students, which can often lead to a loss of focus later in the day. Spread the loveThis term refers to the grouping of students by mental capability, aptitude, or hobbies. In the United States, the average school day is around six and a half hours long. 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 are potential reductions in the financial costs of running a school district. Rural areas report that their student attendance has increased since switching to the 4-day school week. Increasing the length of school days may result in attention deficit and exhaustion, rendering the additional class time unproductive. Staying at school for the majority of the day isn't allowing me . If so, keep reading. Many of these schools are already operating on an alternative schedule because that is what works best for their community. List of the Major Cons of a 4-Day School Week 1. Delaying school start times has been shown to have positive outcomes for students and families in overwhelming scientific research. 2. Thats two hours of lost time for farm chores, homework, or other responsibilities that rural families have more often than urban or suburban families. Some school districts have reported saving 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. In this article, we will examine this question in depth. districts think they will save tons of money by cutting operational costs on It requires longer school days. 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 organization 4 Day Week Global sponsored the program. This means students in a district with this alternative schedule get out later for the holidays than students on the traditional Monday-Friday schedule. Four day school weeks have been discussed by many schools, and some schools already have them. 2. Also, there have been studies that found that special populations do not thrive under this configuration. Finally, teachers and students would have better relationships as they spend more time together instead of being rushed. Out of a budget of $5.5 million, they saved $206,000. Students can adjust to the new schedule. Saving on utilities school buses, and long term building wear and tear. The Advantages and Disadvantages of Extended 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. Just 11 of the districts had enrollments of more than 1,000 students. In addition, they are given a week off for major holidays and 2 weeks of summer vacation at their parents discretion. Do students learn better in shorter classes? 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. Money is saved on that day because they don't have to run lights, heater or AC. A 4 day work week would promote an equal workplace as employees would be able to spend more time with their families and better juggle care and work commitments. At the same time, teacher attendance rates also rose, which is a trend still seen in these districts, 20+ years later. Getting to school on-time or making it out for the bus is a constant battle. According to new research, the four-day week is a popular way for parents and students to spend quality time together. There are positive outcomes that may occur, but there are negative outcomes that must also be managed. Students have more time outside of school to focus on other important aspects of their lives. 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. Some districts have seen their disciplinary issues decline by more than 70% in the first two years of implementing a 4-day schedule. What Grades Is Elementary School? Children have a six-week summer break and ten days of off every 45 days of class. It matches the class schedule to a parent's work schedule. Pro: An extended school day provides more flexibility for parents, eliminating the need for after-school care. 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. 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. 4. Those changes happen because students who are active participants in their learning have more fun in school. The majority of these are found in the western United States, including Oregon, Montana, Idaho, Colorado, and Oklahoma, Thompson said. So it is illogical to think that a four day week will help other grade levels. (Lewis) In Bonneville, Idaho the school started later in the day which resulted in absences dropping 15%. Finally, some parents worry that shorter days could mean that their children would have less time to participate in extracurricular activities. . More teaching: Covid-19 has resulted in a lot of disruption in teaching. 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. One is that it would likely mean that teachers would have to teach more classes, which could lead to burnout. 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. But recently, there has been a move towards shorter weeks across the United States. If she is not receptive to your suggestions, you may want to get a doctors note stating that recess is required. 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. This added The schedule change also shifted how teachers assigned homework, making it more efficient and focused. 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. Anticipated savings are in transportation, food and food service workers, hourly workers and utilities. The basic assumption of a 4 day work week is fulfilling the duties in a shorter amount of time, instead of the usual five-day workweek and receiving the same pay. Pro: An extended school day provides more time for students to learn and the possibility of providing individualized attention for students in need. 2. How To Switch School Districts Without Moving? The What are the pros and cons of longer school days? Why did they switch to 4-day school weeks? The Chattooga County School District in Georgia shifted to a 4-day school week. This leads to added costs that some families, living paycheck to paycheck, may not be able to afford. 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. Increases student attendance. Teachers have more time to prepare lessons and collaborate during the day. Additional costs savings from a shorter day include less . They also said students can gain more time for fun and still receive an excellent education. Rural school districts find the greatest benefit in this area. 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. Kuss Middle School in Fall River, Mass., has risen from a Level 5 to a Level 1 after implementing extended learning time. Since the approach to curriculum development and pedagogical style varies by state and district, data must be disaggregated to evaluate specific impact. Ages. These crimes occurred all during the week, When larger school districts attempt this kind of schedule, they find few, if any, benefits coming from their actions. Teachers are attracted by the prospect of having a shorter work week. Spread the loveAre you looking for strategies to help students who cannot fasten their own clothes? This schedule works much better for parents, who often have that working schedule themselves. recess is not only ineffective but also harmful to students who may feel that the punishment is excessive. Sacrifices Family Time. The 4-day schedule eliminates one full driving day for the transportation department. For the Cove School District in Eastern Oregon, the school day begins at 8am and doesnt end until 4pm. Second, it would allow students to get more sleep, which is important for their health and well-being. On the other hand, there have been studies that found no significant difference in overall academic achievement between four-day districts and five-day districts. Does precision really make a program successful? She is the author and co-author of 12 books and serves as a consultant in K-12 and higher education. This would help not only our school but also the parents if they cant afford the gas. Changing the times could increase attendance by 1%, which could bring in $40 million more. At the same time, the constant back-and-forth for students limits the amount of fun they can have. Sports schedules are easier to manage. Delaying school start times is associated with a decrease in bedtimes and an increase in sleep for every minute the school day is delayed. 3. The very thought of sending kids to school year-round makes some parents cringe. Finalists and Winners of The 2022 Tech Edvocate Awards, Finalists and Winners of The 2021 Tech Edvocate Awards, Finalists and Winners of The 2020 Tech Edvocate Awards, Finalists and Winners of The 2019 Tech Edvocate Awards, Finalists and Winners of The 2018 Tech Edvocate Awards, Finalists and Winners of The 2017 Tech Edvocate Awards, 21 Ways to Teach Students to Use Learning Materials Appropriately, Classical Idealism: Everything You Need to Know, Good Research Topics about Womens Movement, Most Interesting Wine Essay Topics to Write about, Most Interesting Walmart Essay Topics to Write about, Most Interesting W.E.B. It would also be beneficial to reduce the week in order to promote activity participation. The disadvantage is that more time does not equate to more learning. As a result, students dont have to miss school to help out. Required fields are marked *, on Why School Days Should Be Shorter? 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). Shifting to this schedule does have certain disadvantages, especially for working parents. There are a few reasons why shorter school days could be beneficial. According to author accounts, teachers and students suffer as a result of recess being taken away as a punishment for behavior. flexibility is why they are such staunch proponents of the 4-day school schedule. 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. Another potential drawback is that shorter school days could lead to more after-school activities, which could be a problem for working parents. time attracting qualified applicants. Your email address will not be published. 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. Some educators believe that extending the school day until 5:00 p.m. is the answer. Along with giving kids more time to concentrate on critical activities, a shortened school day would also provide pupils with more opportunity to relax. Students are still getting the same amount of instruction in terms of minutes, just in a shorter number of days. 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. Extending the school day is a hot topic for educational policy making bodies. 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. over 1 million dollars on utilities, busing, and labor costs. It is important to consider all of the factors before making a decision. Children have more time to participate in other activities that help them learn more. In the 4-day school week The school also doesn't have to pay anyone that is on an hourly schedule. In-depth consultation between all constituents reveals the pros and cons of extended school days. manageable in a myriad of ways. There tends to be less student exhaustion, which allows them to focus more on the learning process. Con: Not all students need one-on-one assistance, and some may even experience boredom or burnout from the extended school day.

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