With the long break of summer, many people prefer the short breaks of year round schools. One of the biggest concerns of a 4-day school week is the length of seat time that younger students must complete. In 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. Black Boys in Crisis: Why Arent They Reading? 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. Approximately 1,800 schools in the U.S. have extended learning hours, but there are many pros and cons of extended school days. Extending the school year may help make teaching a full-time, more lucrative profession for educators if year-round schools can cut costs through . Public school everything for schoolchildren and students. 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. Spread the loveThis term refers to the grouping of students by mental capability, aptitude, or hobbies. They were located in 7 western states in the U.S. and all but 13 of them identified themselves as being a rural school district. When shifted to a 4-day school week, they reported that they were forced to focus on instruction much more than they had previously. On the plus side, employees love it. There are many changes with switching the school days. Which one is the best? This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship. Copyright (c) 2023 Matthew Lynch. First, it would give students more time to focus on their homework and studies outside of school. 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. Year round schools, can actually benefit students in the long run. Does time of day affect student learning? Extending the school day is a hot topic for educational policy making bodies. If so, keep reading. It also means that they would have more time to mark the voluminous quantity of homework that they have to complete every night. The school districts in New Mexico are one of the best examples of this benefit. Students with less sleep have difficulty paying attention in class and are likely to have lower grades. Many school And the school districts in the state have stable student achievement levels on their standardized tests. Pros and cons of a four day working week. 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. That may mean reducing Spring Break to 2 days instead of having the entire week off. Going to the 4-day schedule can create scheduling conflicts with other districts, particularly with sporting events, performances, and groups like 4-H. Sometimes even starting school earlier in the . The decision to implement such a schedule must therefore be handled at the local level. 1. For school districts struggling with funding issues, the potential savings here could save the budget. Some schools even require students to have the belt line exposed at all times for fear of guns concealed under clothing. Extending the school days even longer would further cut into valuable time to bond with family. A story on the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's website said: 1. Moving to the 4-day schedule shifts student movement patterns, reducing the number of lost transition minutes. In-depth consultation between all constituents reveals the pros and cons of extended school days. Colorado has nearly three-quarters of its school districts on a four-day schedule. 1. Some are facing the debate about whether to keep standardized tests or not. 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 Pros and Cons to Longer School Days. Kuss Middle School in Fall River, Mass., has risen from a Level 5 to a Level 1 after implementing extended learning time. 3. This provided the teacher with more freedom with curriculum and time management. Alexander Alvarez, Reporter November 16, 2021. Christmas and Spring holiday weeks may be extended as well. It involves increasing communication and various forms of interaction between people of different nations, ethnicities and cultures. 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%. Those that had implemented the alternative scheduling found that student attendance could rise by more than 20. 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. It may reduce the number of discipline referrals for students. It is also possible for schools to extend the school day in more districts across the country. manageable in a myriad of ways. Schools can save up to 20% on some budget-line expenses with a 4-day week. Working a couple of hours after school gains experience and disposable income. Shorter School Days Are the Way. Increases student attendance. Our individualized learning setup at the Tenney School allows us to offer more instruction in a shorter amount of time. Shorter school days that start later in the day could alleviate this problem, promoting healthy habits and the many benefits that go with a solid sleep routine. 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. One issue that schools face today is what kind of school schedule there should be throughout the year. School districts save money. Teachers can use more time in the day to go on field trips or expand content areas. For others, perhaps not. In 2009, there were 3,000 schools in the United States operating on a year-round basis. Why shorter school days are better for teachers? The 180-day calendar is shorter than that of other industrialized countries, and some schools even find ways to shave days even further. If practicums can be included with small group discussions, the retention rate can top 90% for some students. If so, keep reading. Instead, an investment should be made in improving teaching strategies and new technology that could transform the learning process. the traditional 5th day. During recess, limit the number of games or activities that students can participate in. recess has numerous benefits, including assisting students in reducing aggression and improving learning. Colorado, juvenile crime increased by 73% whenever a school changed their There is no one answer to this question as it can depend on individual circumstances. The school day is too long. The final class ends 1-2 hours before the work day ends for most parents. By having more instruction in class, students can not only get better test scores, but they can also get better grades. The Advantages and Disadvantages of Extended School Days Advantage: More time to devote to learning. Spread the loveThe International Baccalaureate Program is a very intensive pre-college program in which when students get involved, they get college credit. These actions often negate the benefits of the 3-day weekend because it really isnt a true 3-day weekend. 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. In some situations, a single teacher may be responsible for over 100 students. The program not only saves districts money, but it also allows students to spend more time with their families. Rural school districts and small school districts benefit the most from a 4-day schedule because of their natural isolation. In Peetz Colorado a debate is going on four a four day school week. If so, keep reading. Spread the loveThis term describes a manner of classifying gifted students to place them in properly segmented classrooms. 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. It is encouraged for students to try new things in order to benefit from them. The school also doesn't have to pay anyone that is on an hourly schedule. Better sleep: Delayed start time could help teens sleep during . One is that students might not have enough time to receive all the instruction they need in a particular subject. Childrens schooldays should be around 8 hours long, and they should be school-aged all year. The longer school days of a 4-day week make it almost impossible for teens to find a job after school. 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. They may also experience irritability and fatigue. Traditional vs. Good for working parents: This would lead to less wraparound care for working . Increasing the length of school days may result in attention deficit and exhaustion, making the additional class time inefficient. The move toward a shorter workweek is gaining momentum. 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. Pros of the 4-day School Week. In general, taking away recess as punishment may be seen as unfair or too harsh, especially for young children. Over the course of a 2-year period on this alternative schedule, they reported up to a 20% increase in student attendance. The Chattooga County School District reported similar results from their trial with this schedule as well. It can help teachers and students better manage the process of learning. 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. How does it impact your success? The disadvantage is that more time does not equate to more learning. One is that it would likely mean that teachers would have to teach more classes, which could lead to burnout. 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. The 4-day schedule eliminates one full driving day for the transportation department. There are many financial benefits from a 4 day school week.With only 4 days in a week, that is one less day theschool has to pay for lunches . Students in the third through sixth grades have improved their ACT scores, according to studies. This is one reason school districts use to implement dress codes. The school day was originally created to meet the needs of farmers. Spread the loveEducation is a collaborative process, as it takes many stakeholders working in unison to help students succeed academically. On top of that, you will likely only be taking 1-2 classes at a time instead of four or more. 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. The schedule forces teachers to spend small blocks of time on specific topics without really being able to dig into in-depth issues. Students in a 4-day school week are packing 180 days into a condensed 145-day schedule. Students already feel like their school day is too long. 1. The ability to offer a 3-day weekend, every weekend, is a powerful motivator for school districts that are recruiting for quality employees. The Pros of Longer School Days More Time for Instruction The number one reason for lengthening the school day is to provide teachers with more time for instruction. 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. Webster County, Kentucky moved their school district to a 4-day week in 2003. 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. It provides an extra day for actual rest to occur when it may be needed without compromising the remainder of the family schedule. 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 . That is because larger districts offer more activities, manage more student events, and operate essentially 7 days per week during the school year anyway. In the standard 5-day school week, sports practices occur after school. 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. 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. It may reduce the number of discipline referrals for students. Cons of the 4-Day School Week. 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. Out of a budget of $5.5 million, they saved $206,000. Spread the loveBeing a teacher is a tough job. Why weekends should be longer for students? The Chattooga County School District in Georgia shifted to a 4-day school week. Students follow the same type of pattern. 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. Data from the National Association of Year-Round Education . Year-round schooling has been proposed as a better option for students than a traditional 9-month schedule. What are the pros and cons of shorter school week? To be competitive in a global market, students need to be exposed to a wide variety of subject matter. 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). All rights reserved. A longer school day would involve substantial funding for teacher salaries and facility maintenance. It would also be beneficial to reduce the week in order to promote activity participation. Schools are facing many issues today. 1. Finally, some parents worry that shorter days could mean that their children would have less time to participate in extracurricular activities. Massachusetts, a pioneer in extended learning time (ELT), has made significant progress in this field. 4-day school weeks add That also makes scheduling problematic for many families. This means students in a district with this alternative schedule get out later for the holidays than students on the traditional Monday-Friday schedule. It can also be difficult to monitor, as students may be able to find ways to sneak in a recess break even when they are supposed to be punished. But slowly over the nation, schools are switching to a four day school week. 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. Rural areas report that their student attendance has increased since switching to the 4-day school week. Recent survey findings show that four-day school weeks have been adopted as a way to alleviate budgetary issues, attract teachers, and reduce student absencesissues that the pandemic . Increases student attendance. Here are a few: 1. The ability to express oneself via electives can make children happier and more cooperative in the classroom. 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. 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. She studies hard, does her research and assignments, and goes to class every single day. More rest then equates to dealing with less stress over the course of a school year. Certain activities or games should be prohibited (for an indefinite period of time). Changing school start times will increase attendance and money brought in. Spread the loveOne of the questions that I am frequently asked is, what does a good teacher look like? The Advantages and Disadvantages of Extended School Days. Children need the opportunity to rest and re-energize, and theyre often overextended with activities, homework and part-time jobs. Spread the loveAre you looking for ways to teach students to take care of their personal property? Other popular year-round schedules are the 60-20 and 90-30 calendars, where students are in class for 60 or 90 days with vacations of 20 or 30 days respectively. Taking only one class is practically a . We were able to build a strong community and school consensus as a result of our programs success. Schools would also have to change their bus transportation systems which are designed to run as efficiently and inexpensively as possible. Spread the loveAre you looking for strategies to help students who cannot fasten their own clothes? Compacting school into just four days a week leaves more time for kids to spend with family, friends and outside interests. schedule, the district adds 40 or so minutes to make up for the time lost on Better Employee Engagement A 4 day week can lead to happier and more committed employees. Four day school weeks are becoming a necessity for some rural school districts that lack funding. Keeping schools open five days a week is not financially feasible. That can make it difficult for some students to pay attention to the information being provided. Delaying school start times will assist students in developing the skills required to reach their full potential. The list just gets longer. Spread the loveThe Talent Search Initiative has as its aim; the identification of high-performing students by organizing specific tests. They just dont have time to get everything done. It also means that certain holiday vacations, such as Thanksgiving, are extended to a full week, and that can be a scheduling concern for many families. 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. There are some drawbacks to shorter school days, as well. Why should school weeks be shorter? The disadvantage is that more time does not equate to more learning. As a result, learning is less effective due to budget constraints. The class periods would probably be over an hour long but longer school days is a must if you for sure have four day weeks. To compare, a regular semester generally lasts 16-18 weeks. Shifting to this schedule does have certain disadvantages, especially for working parents. Class runs Monday- Thursday with an added 40-60 minutes each day to compensate for the lost time by not having the schools run on Fridays. If schools only had one day off per week, millions of dollars would be saved. Also, since special populations fare poorly in this configuration, the costs of Shorter days can only be seen as a positive thing and would benefit students, teacher, and administrators. In 1995, 84 school districts were studied that had already implemented a 4-day school week. The majority of these are found in the western United States, including Oregon, Montana, Idaho, Colorado, and Oklahoma, Thompson said. A switch to a 4-day schedule gives teachers more time to use teaching styles that are more effective. Shorter work weeks can improve employment productivity and provide families with more meaningful time together. Many school districts still operate Monday-Friday, even on a 4-day week. For school districts following the 4-day school week, the Thanksgiving holiday usually receives a full week off instead of the final two days of the week. They need a shorter school day so they can have more time to relax and play. After physical activity, children with or without ADHD appear to perform better at attention, memory, and mood. Anecdotal evidence also suggests that attendance improves; parents and teachers can schedule doctor's appointments and other weekday commitments for Fridays rather than during school days. This got me thinking about the pros and cons of longer vs. shorter trips. Getting to school on-time or making it out for the bus is a constant battle. The major pros and cons of a 4-day school week suggest that it can save money for districts, which means taxpayers benefit.
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