Out of a budget of $5.5 million, they saved $206,000. They need a shorter school day so they can have more time to relax and play. The disadvantage is that more time does not equate to more learning. The Pros and Cons of a 4-Day Week for Employers & Employees That means half of parents will enjoy the alternative school schedule and half will hate it. 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. Lets face it our best school memories arent from tests or pop quizzes. The disadvantage is that more time does not equate to more learning. One of the primary motivations for adopting the four-day week is financial savings for the school district. The Agrarian calendar is rooted in the past. Easier to recruit employees. Despite these difficulties, many disabled students go on to lead successful and fulfilling lives. Long school days, on the other hand, can present some challenges and, at the very least, unsatisfactory outcomes. Their child is at home while they are at work, which is problematic for parents of younger children. 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. In the United States, only five states require recess in elementary schools, with Texas not one of them. Some of the pros of year-round schooling include: 1 . the fifth day, but they forget, they will still be open and running activities When teachers are more effective and efficient, student performance follows a similar pattern. Since the approach to curriculum development and pedagogical style varies by state and district, data must be disaggregated to evaluate specific impact. Shortening the school day by even an hour or two can allow a district to save dramatically on its utility costs. Sara Blackwell teaches Employment Law at University of South Florida in Tampa and she is a published author. Some districts have seen their disciplinary issues decline by more than 70% in the first two years of implementing a 4-day schedule. Spread the loveAre you looking for ways to teach students appropriate mealtime manners? 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. The Pros and Cons of Year-Round Schools - Scholastic 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. 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. Changing school start times will increase attendance and money brought in. Kids already spend a very long time each week in the school and away from their family. Theyre from moments we remember having fun, whether that was in the classroom, the playground, or the athletics field. Pro: In 2004, the school day was lengthened for a Massachusetts school to address the issue of underperforming students. 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 ). 1. The benefits are many. It can help teachers and students better manage the process of learning. Required fields are marked *, on Why School Days Should Be Shorter? Special correspondent Lisa Stark of Education Week reports on the pros and cons for students, families and schools. Another potential drawback is that shorter school days could lead to more after-school activities, which could be a problem for working parents. Schools are able to switch to a four-day week by simply increasing the length of their school day. Accidents, absences, and absences all fall on the decline, and students academic performance rises. A 4-day school week is misleading. Many recommend that teens get at least eight hours of sleep to feel well rested and . 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. Some districts take just one week off at Christmas instead of two weeks because of these conflicts. As a result, learning is less effective due to budget constraints. 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. Research has shown that in this configuration, students who are low-income, minority, or special needs dont fare too well academically. Spread the loveAfrican Africans have a long history of being mistreated in the United States, starting with slavery. In 1995, 84 school districts were studied that had already implemented a 4-day school week. We were able to build a strong community and school consensus as a result of our programs success. 1. The article Should School Stay Earlier? Students attending a 4-day school schedule may have requirements for their education that fall outside of the normal work schedule for their parents. Another is that shorter days could lead to shorter attention spans in classrooms. The Second, it would allow students to get more sleep, which is important for their health and well-being. 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. Additional costs savings from a shorter day include less . In New Mexico, 18 of the states 89 school districts are currently using this alternative schedule. 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. Children would get up early and help with chores, go to school and then help out on the farm until sundown. Shorter days can only be seen as a positive thing and would benefit students, teacher, and administrators. It would also be beneficial to reduce the week in order to promote activity participation. One issue that schools face today is what kind of school schedule there should be throughout the year. 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. Rural school districts and small school districts benefit the most from a 4-day schedule because of their natural isolation. It is a program for mostly rural and small school districts. In 2022, companies in the U.K., the U.S., and Canada instituted a four-day workweek pilot program to test the concept. It was a kneejerk response to dwindling education budgets and the belief that schools could save a ton of money by operating Monday through Thursday, which in theory would lower their operating expenses. The kids groan, complain about getting out of bed, and struggle to get through the morning routine. Year round schools, can actually benefit students in the long run. Since an entire day is cut off the week, that extra time needs to be made up during the remaining four days. Ages. . 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. There are a few potential drawbacks to shorter school days. Easier to recruit employees. Pro: Education is a priority, and funding should not hold back efforts to provide more effective academic preparation for students. More teaching: Covid-19 has resulted in a lot of disruption in teaching. 10 Noteworthy Benefits of a Shorter School Day - Tenney School Advantage: More time for other subjects. The Pros and Cons to Longer School Days - Walden University There is the possibility of making up for lost time, especially those who are at a disadvantage due to the digital divide. The evaluated skills include science, math, and reading. The average time for school that is scheduled in a 4-day week is either 7:30am-5pm or 8am-5:30pm. Some are even cutting arts programs or shortening the school week to balance the budget. Does precision really make a program successful? It might help school districts save money. Employment opportunities with a 3-day weekend are increasing. In comparison to 2007, the number of public schools that offer year-round programs has increased by 26%. Why a four-day school week is bad? - TeachersCollegesj List of the Major Cons of a 4-Day School Week 1. 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. Long school days can cause eating problems for students who don't eat at school, or who use up all their energy while learning. In Peetz Colorado a debate is going on four a four day school week. Colorado, juvenile crime increased by 73% whenever a school changed their This means students in a district with this alternative schedule get out later for the holidays than students on the traditional Monday-Friday schedule. One way to address these issues is to shift the traditional school schedule into a 4-day week. In many US school districts, the first class begins 1-2 hours after most parents need to be at work. 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. The Rochester City Council established the Extended Learning Time initiative as part of Rochesters ongoing commitment to education. A longer school day would involve substantial funding for teacher salaries and facility maintenance. The Pros and Cons of Year-Round Schools. 4-day school weeks add Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. Four Day School Week: The Pros And Cons - HonorsGradU Some school districts shifted to a 4-day week not because of financial needs, but others did so to make it easier to schedule sporting events or after-school activities. In general, taking away recess as punishment may be seen as unfair or too harsh, especially for young children. Overall, there are pros and cons to shorter school days. What we envisage may not be the most straightforward or the most conventional ideas. 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. And the school districts in the state have stable student achievement levels on their standardized tests. You should approach these strategies with your childs teacher instead of punishing him or her. It creates a long school day for students. 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. Oklahoma Department of Education examined the economic effect of going to a When implemented, however, 1st graders do just as well as teens with the expanded schedule and 3-day weekend. That is because larger districts offer more activities, manage more student events, and operate essentially 7 days per week during the school year anyway. Anticipated savings are in transportation, food and food service workers, hourly workers and utilities. Alexander Alvarez, Reporter November 16, 2021. A story on the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's website said: According to the vast majority of states, spanking your child is against the law. There tends to be less student exhaustion, which allows them to focus more on the learning process. Changing the times could increase attendance by 1%, which could bring in $40 million more. 19 Big Advantages and Disadvantages of the 4 Day School Week Why did they switch to 4-day school weeks? The program not only saves districts money, but it also allows students to spend more time with their families. 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. Pros and cons of school dress code | University News Your typical school week: Monday-Friday with the hours sometime between 7 am- 4 pm. It involves increasing communication and various forms of interaction between people of different nations, ethnicities and cultures. It also means that they would have more time to mark the voluminous quantity of homework that they have to complete every night. In return, the number of disciplinary measures can also be reduced. Here are a few: 1. 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. Students are still getting the same amount of instruction in terms of minutes, just in a shorter number of days. Shorter work weeks can improve employment productivity and provide families with more meaningful time together. According to a Center for American Progress study, traditional school schedules are out of sync with the current economic environment. Opportunity to relax and really immerse yourself in the experience. 1. Pros and Cons of the Four-Day Week Proponents of four-day school weeks say that even though cost savings are minimal, they are achieved. Every community has their own unique requirements that must be addressed by school scheduling. Four day school weeks are becoming a necessity for some rural school districts that lack funding. 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 standard requirement for schools is 180 days or an average range of 990-1080 hours. The very thought of sending kids to school year-round makes some parents cringe. What's the Difference Between Burnout and Demoralization, and What Can Teachers Do About It? Since many of the families in these areas run farms, it gives families extra time to get work done during the week. Pros and cons of a four day working week. If so, keep reading. 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. There are some drawbacks to shorter school days, as well. 1. Some school districts have reported saving Four-Day School Week Overview - National Conference of State Legislatures I am glad that you asked. What are the pros and cons of longer school days? It starts too early, ends too late, and occurs far too often. You still have to go to practice, and dont forget the piles of homework that need done. 19 Advantages and Disadvantages of 4 Day School Weeks 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. Public school everything for schoolchildren and students. The 4-day schedule eliminates one full driving day for the transportation department. They can explore and discover various hobbies and interests, maintain their stress levels and get more sleep. There are various school days in the United States. Granby School District in Colorado shifted to a 4-day schedule for their 1,100 students. As a result, kids will be less worried about time management and will be less likely to fall behind on such rewarding activities. Many school Administrative staff are required to be on-site, sports The Advantages and Disadvantages of Extended School Days Advantage: More time to devote to learning. That means the students in those districts have better opportunities to learn. Spread the loveThis program assesses 15-year-old students schooling in countries that form part of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. 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Should schools go to a 4 day school week instead of 5 days? Many school districts keep their administrative staff on school grounds all week long, though some allow half to take a Monday off, while the other half takes Friday off. 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. Revisiting Using Edtech for Bullying and Suicide Prevention. school schedules from 5 to 4 days. The list just gets longer. There are 21 states that have four-day school districts. On the plus side, employees love it. The Pros and Cons of the Four-Day School Week - LINQ Extending the school year may help make teaching a full-time, more lucrative profession for educators if year-round schools can cut costs through . Students usually go to school about 6 hours each day in most districts. 6. When teachers operate under time constraints, in high-pressure situations, then they typically default to a lecture-based teaching style. There are some drawbacks to shorter school days, as well. Pros of the 4-day School Week. In many cases, it is in the best interests of students to reduce costs and have minimal impact on instruction. Pro: An extended school day provides more time for students to learn and the possibility of providing individualized attention for students in need. 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. Younger people shouldn't have to work as long as some adults do. Obesity, anxiety and stress, as well as lower grades, can all be attributed to a lack of sleep, according to the National Sleep Foundation. There will be days, even with the best efforts of everyone involved, where a student is stuck with an after-hours activity, deep into the night, after being in class for most of the day. Shortening the School Day | Education - Seattle PI 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. Those human beings that seem larger than life and almost achieve Godlike status. Delaying school start times will assist students in developing the skills required to reach their full potential. Well, at least initially. The Advantages and Disadvantages of Extended School Days Advantage: More time to devote to learning. The ability to offer a 3-day weekend, every weekend, is a powerful motivator for school districts that are recruiting for quality employees. There have been several studies that reported the 4-day school week had positive effects on student's math and reading scores. recess is not only ineffective but also harmful to students who may feel that the punishment is excessive. Why weekends should be longer for students? The decision to implement such a schedule must therefore be handled at the local level. More time to focus on mental health In the typical K-12 schooling model, mental health education is too often shunted aside. The school day had to accommodate available daylight and the requirements of helping with the family farm. 12 Pros and Cons of a 4 Day School Week (2023) It is important to consider all of the factors before making a decision. As with any innovation, shorter workweeks have advantages and disadvantages. You wont have to run the electricity or pay for buses. Pros and Cons of a Longer School Day | GoStudent | GoStudent Spread the loveAre you looking for strategies to encourage students to take care of their personal property? This is one of the strongest arguments in favour of a longer school day. There is no one answer to this question as every disabled students experience is unique. . After-school activities begin at that point, which means some students dont make it back home until 8pm that night. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Signup for The Edvocate Newsletter and have the latest in P-20 education news and opinion delivered to your email address! Increase Engagement and Productivity. In the Article by Lisa Lewis, it also talks about how delaying school by 1 hour produces the same benefit as shrinking class size by one-third or replacing a teacher in the 50th percentile of effectiveness with one in the 84th percentile.(Lewis). Teachers can use more time in the day to go on field trips or expand content areas. 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. Students have more time outside of school to focus on other important aspects of their lives. Finally, some parents worry that shorter days could mean that their children would have less . Longer school days may have some positive impact on student achievement, but research on their effects is lacking. 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. 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. (5) Most costs that were reduced were Operations and maintenance, heating and cooling, janitor supplies. Approximately 1,800 schools in the U.S. have extended learning hours, but there are many pros and cons of extended school days. To avoid this issue, many school districts have considered shifting to a 4-day school week. This schedule cycles consistently throughout the year while making minor adjustments for major holidays and teacher workdays. 6 Benefits of Shorter School Days | Should There Be a Change? - ID Tech Year-Round Or Traditional Schedule? - Public School Review It may improve overall student attendance. We call for a relatively radical and certainly quite comprehensive reorganization of Americas P-20 system. It is also possible for schools to extend the school day in more districts across the country. Better Employee Engagement A 4 day week can lead to happier and more committed employees. 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. Instead, an investment should be made in improving teaching strategies and new technology that could transform the learning process. Our individualized learning setup at the Tenney School allows us to offer more instruction in a shorter amount of time. The school day was originally created to meet the needs of farmers. But others are worried about when kids should be in school. Pros And Cons Of Five 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. Massachusetts, a pioneer in extended learning time (ELT), has made significant progress in this field. 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. Kids that go to schools with the 4-day week are often happier, stay happy throughout the school year, and look forward to going to school each day. Four day school weeks have been discussed by many schools, and some schools already have them. Despite the fact that a few studies have recently been published, there is no significant research on the four-day school week. That additional day can also be used for staff development time instead of taking away a school day to do so. Teachers are frequently overworked and required to perform tasks that are outside their job description. Because of this, school districts dont have a hard . I say this because we would have to start. Increases student attendance. A three-day weekend allows for extra leisure time, as well as a reduction in commute and energy usage. 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. One of the biggest concerns of a 4-day school week is the length of seat time that younger students must complete. For others, perhaps not. Many break times have been incorporated in the calendar, such as morning recess, afternoon recess, snack time, and so on. 15 Major Pros and Cons of Early School Start Times Spread the loveBeing a teacher is a tough job. Read the Full Transcript Judy Woodruff: For many American students and. What are the Pros and Cons of 4-Day School Weeks? Childrens schooldays should be around 8 hours long, and they should be school-aged all year. Many schools are adding thirty minutes to both the beginning and end of the school day. The organization 4 Day Week Global sponsored the program. The trade-off for a shorter week is a longer school day. Are shorter school days better? - Global Answers 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. 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.
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