It provides an extra day for actual rest to occur when it may be needed without compromising the remainder of the family schedule. In Colorado, 31 of the states 176 school districts are currently using a 4-day school week. 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. What are the advantages and disadvantages of including issues such as child care? Additional costs savings from a shorter day include less . When shifted to a 4-day school week, they reported that they were forced to focus on instruction much more than they had previously. These are more reasons CHS should move to a four day school week. Administrative staff are required to be on-site, sports There is no one answer to this question as it can depend on individual circumstances. There can be no one answer to this question because it is a matter of case by case. That also makes scheduling problematic for many families. NEA Today: A 9 to 5 School Day: Are Longer Hours Better for Students and Educators? In There is the possibility of making up for lost time, especially those who are at a disadvantage due to the digital divide. There are potential reductions in the financial costs of running a school district. Teachers in Seattle are deciding how to use an additional 20 minutes on top of the usual school day. The University of New Mexico Newsroom: Research Study Yields Unexpected Conclusion About Longer School Years. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship. 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. Does time of day affect student learning? The driving force behind the proposal to lengthen the school day is the assertion that more instructional time would yield greater academic gains. If a longer lunch allows high school students to leave campus, they might opt for unhealthy fast-food options; on the other hand, this extended time might allow them to seek out healthier dishes than those available in the cafeteria. It may reduce the number of discipline referrals for students. But slowly over the nation, schools are switching to a four day school week. Year-round education (YRE) is being considered or adopted by some districts. It also means that students face more daily seat time, in exchange for a 3-day weekend which may not materialize with their after-school commitments. NOTE : The information on this website is for general information purposes only. . Does this sound exciting and rich with possibilities? Recently Michael Gove raised the issue of the length of school holidays and the school day - the former are apparently too long, the latter too short. There is no one answer to this question as every disabled students experience is unique. 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. Changing the times could increase attendance by 1%, which could bring in $40 million more. . Rural school districts and small school districts benefit the most from a 4-day schedule because of their natural isolation. 2023 The Black Well Firm. Despite these difficulties, many disabled students go on to lead successful and fulfilling lives. If school doesnt get out until 4pm, then the student makes it home at 5pm. And the school districts in the state have stable student achievement levels on their standardized tests. (Solution). Pros of Year-Round School. Pros and cons of a four day working week. When a school opts to go with an early start time, then students are spending less time sitting in traffic as they head to class. Teachers have more time to prepare lessons and collaborate during the day. It provides a realistic way for schools to remain open and also has added benefits beyond saving money. 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. It is important to consider all of the factors before making a decision. A story on the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's website said: Just 11 of the districts had enrollments of more than 1,000 students. Additionally student involvement and safety would suffer. 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. 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. It is critical to maintain a consistent schedule and not change it on a weekly basis in order to give students the best chance of success. Potential for juvenile crime to increase. 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. 18 Major Advantages and Disadvantages of the Payback Period, 20 Advantages and Disadvantages of Leasing a Car, 19 Advantages and Disadvantages of Debt Financing, 24 Key Advantages and Disadvantages of a C Corporation, 16 Biggest Advantages and Disadvantages of Mediation, 18 Advantages and Disadvantages of a Gated Community, 17 Big Advantages and Disadvantages of Focus Groups, 17 Key Advantages and Disadvantages of Corporate Bonds, 19 Major Advantages and Disadvantages of Annuities, 17 Biggest Advantages and Disadvantages of Advertising. 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. The pros and cons of a 4-day school week offer many challenges. It matches the class schedule to a parent's work schedule. After-school jobs are a common way for teens to make money. 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. So it is illogical to think that a four day week will help other grade levels. remediating them begin to take a bite out of the budget. It requires longer school days. Your email address will not be published. Second, it would allow students to get more sleep, which is important for their health and well-being. In many US school districts, the first class begins 1-2 hours after most parents need to be at work. Pros of the 4-day School Week. Going to the 4-day schedule can create scheduling conflicts with other districts, particularly with sporting events, performances, and groups like 4-H. In comparison to 2007, the number of public schools that offer year-round programs has increased by 26%. recess is not only ineffective but also harmful to students who may feel that the punishment is excessive. In general, taking away recess as punishment may be seen as unfair or too harsh, especially for young children. 1. 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. Con: School districts across the U.S. are struggling to make ends meet. 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%. It may reduce the number of discipline referrals for students. Schools across the country offer extended learning hours. Longer school days may lead to attention deficit and fatigue, making the extra class time ineffective. The school day had to accommodate available daylight and the requirements of helping with the family farm. Out of a budget of $5.5 million, they saved $206,000. Certain activities or games should be prohibited (for an indefinite period of time). This would help not only our school but also the parents if they cant afford the gas. There are some drawbacks to shorter school days, as well. From the moment you walk into the second you walk out. Spread the loveThis program assesses 15-year-old students schooling in countries that form part of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Students follow the same type of pattern. Spread the loveThis term refers to the grouping of students by mental capability, aptitude, or hobbies. There are many changes with switching the school days. Spread the loveAre you looking for ways to teach students to take care of their personal property? Many companies have found that when workers are able to work a schedule which suits their needs, letting them work how they like, then their workers are more productive. In the United States, about 50% of all companies are either offering or thinking about offering a 4-day workweek for their workers. 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. What are the pros and cons of longer school days? Most students in the four-day districts80 percent of high school students and 90 percent of elementary studentsspent their "off day" at home. Shorter days can only be seen as a positive thing and would benefit students, teacher, and administrators. During class time, young kids who are too exhausted to concentrate or perform well may experience tiredness or fall asleep. Why did they switch to 4-day school weeks? Year-round schooling has been proposed as a better option for students than a traditional 9-month schedule. This has been a hot topic especially the states that dont have as large of an economy. The evaluated skills include science, math, and reading. 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. Their students were more focused because they were more rested, which equated to fewer classroom disruptions. Obesity, anxiety and stress, as well as lower grades, can all be attributed to a lack of sleep, according to the National Sleep Foundation. 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. 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. The American Academy of Pediatrics states that children between the ages of 12 and 18 require at least eight hours of sleep per night, and in some cases as much as nine hours. A small portion of the districts cash is saved, but not as much as intangibles. 1. 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. Christmas and Spring holiday weeks may be extended as well. For the Cove School District in Eastern Oregon, the school day begins at 8am and doesnt end until 4pm. That also means some families, with children who are old enough, can eliminate daycare expenses completely with this type of scheduling option. Pros and cons of shorter work weeks. Florida's inflation-adjusted education spending per student has roughly doubled in the last 30 years -- to $7,473 in 2000-01. School districts consider shorter school days for several reasons, including saving money and providing students the ability to participate in more extracurricular activities. The longer school days of a 4-day week make it almost impossible for teens to find a job after school. The requirements for total education time do not change just because a school district goes to a 4-day school week. Though some people say that four days in a school week will help students in certain classes especially in math, this test only worked on 4th and 5th graders. To be competitive in a global market, students need to be exposed to a wide variety of subject matter. 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. It is also good for teachers and the whole school. Accidents, absences, and absences all fall on the decline, and students academic performance rises. A potential decline in academic performance for vulnerable groups. But just because the final bell rang doesnt mean that youre done. 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. 2. Better Employee Engagement A 4 day week can lead to happier and more committed employees. That reduces the effective time they would have for homework once they actually make it home. An eight-hour day is pretty undesirable for elementary-aged kids. More teaching: Covid-19 has resulted in a lot of disruption in teaching.