pros and cons of shorter school days
We were able to build a strong community and school consensus as a result of our programs success. Also, there have been studies that found that special populations do not thrive under this configuration. 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 Massachusetts Expanded Learning Time Initiative has already benefited 19 schools and over 10,000 students. In the standard 5-day school week, sports practices occur after school. . 4-day school weeks add Webster County, Kentucky moved their school district to a 4-day week in 2003. Changing the system could result in many more. In 1095or in 1905, depending on your sourcesRoberto Nevelis of Venice, Italy, is often credited with inventing the concept of homework. Students spend less time on the bus. Another is that shorter days could lead to shorter attention spans in classrooms. Many school districts still operate Monday-Friday, even on a 4-day week. 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. All rights reserved. This schedule cycles consistently throughout the year while making minor adjustments for major holidays and teacher workdays. When teachers operate under time constraints, in high-pressure situations, then they typically default to a lecture-based teaching style. They question the value of a continuous . The four-day school is a phenomenon that has been sweeping across the U.S. 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. Those that had implemented the alternative scheduling found that student attendance could rise by more than 20. Keeping schools open five days a week is not financially feasible. Some schools even require students to have the belt line exposed at all times for fear of guns concealed under clothing. In general, taking away recess as punishment may be seen as unfair or too harsh, especially for young children. Kids already spend a very long time each week in the school and away from their family. Required fields are marked *, on Why School Days Should Be Shorter? This may not seem like a lot, but when you factor in homework and after-school activities, it can be a lot for a student to handle. Rural school districts and small school districts benefit the most from a 4-day schedule because of their natural isolation. The organization 4 Day Week Global sponsored the program. 1. School districts consider shorter school days for several reasons, including saving money and providing students the ability to participate in more extracurricular activities. In 2007-2008, the United States had an average school day of 6.64 hours per day, and an average school year of 180 days. Anticipated savings are in transportation, food and food service workers, hourly workers and utilities. Saving on utilities school buses, and long term building wear and tear. New Haven teachers in an unprecedented move allowed their teacher unions to take over the rewriting of their contracts. List of the Major Cons of a 4-Day School Week 1. Easier to recruit employees. Although sleep is a huge and major part, it is not the only part. A potential decline in academic performance for vulnerable groups. As a result, learning is less effective due to budget constraints. 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. Taking only one class is practically a . In the United States, $17.5 billion each year is spent on school bus transportation. teams may need to practice, professional development sessions may convene, etc. 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. Every community has their own unique requirements that must be addressed by school scheduling. The school also doesn't have to pay anyone that is on an hourly schedule. Examining the pros and cons of year-round school gives insight into why some education leaders push for its adoption while others argue for sticking to the traditional 10-month schedule. By having more instruction in class, students can not only get better test scores, but they can also get better grades. flexibility to teachers schedules and as a result, makes their jobs more To compare, a regular semester generally lasts 16-18 weeks. Do 4-day school weeks positively affect student outcomes? Students feel less pressure because they have more time to study at their own pace at home, especially in the later grades. Other Debates. Most parents have employment which requires them to be present for 8 hours per day, 5 days per week. Out of a budget of $5.5 million, they saved $206,000. 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. They just dont have time to get everything done. It can help teachers and students better manage the process of learning. According to new research, the four-day week is a popular way for parents and students to spend quality time together. Even the cost savings of a total shift to a 4-day schedule may be minimal. The Advantages and Disadvantages of Extended School Days Advantage: More time to devote to learning. Con: Not all students need one-on-one assistance, and some may even experience boredom or burnout from the extended school day. The evaluated skills include science, math, and reading. Changing the times could increase attendance by 1%, which could bring in $40 million more. Your typical school week: Monday-Friday with the hours sometime between 7 am- 4 pm. It would also be beneficial to reduce the week in order to promote activity participation. There are improvements in the school financially. Cons of the 4-Day School Week. 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. Cons of a Longer School Day Does Not Ensure Higher Achievement Some studies have been done that show that longer instruction time can improve achievement, but those results depend on things like classroom environment, quality of instruction, student prior knowledge and ability. . When looking at the benefits of a longer school year, the opportunity for expanding subject matter and the individualized needs of students are factors. About 20% of the states school districts incorporate a 4-day schedule of some kind. 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. 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). In the United States, only five states require recess in elementary schools, with Texas not one of them. For the Cove School District in Eastern Oregon, the school day begins at 8am and doesnt end until 4pm. Lets take a look at some proof. For some, a 4-day week makes perfect sense. Other pros and cons exist in the school lunch debate. Rural areas report that their student attendance has increased since switching to the 4-day school week. A longer school day would involve substantial funding for teacher salaries and facility maintenance. The four-day week did not appear to affect. There are a variety of health issues that can be caused by a lack of sleep. 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. They found out that seven school districts saved money under the new There is the possibility of making up for lost time, especially those who are at a disadvantage due to the digital divide. 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. Increases student attendance. After 12 hours of being away from home, students struggle to find time to study during the 4-day school week. Less time in school could allow students the freedom to discover other interests that are fulfilling and stimulating. By switching to a 4-day school week, the number of transitions can be reduced because more time can be spent on each subject. Because the four-day school week has only been around for a decade or so, we simply dont have enough time, data, or research to make a definitive declaration. 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. He goes on to say that in order to realize that level of savings, schools must severely limit transportation for activities or programs not conducted on regular school days. Long school days can cause eating problems for students who don't eat at school, or who use up all their energy while learning. Does time of day affect student learning? After-school jobs are a common way for teens to make money. Why weekends should be longer for students? The average time for school that is scheduled in a 4-day week is either 7:30am-5pm or 8am-5:30pm. That also makes scheduling problematic for many families. The Advantages and Disadvantages of Extended School Days Advantage: More time to devote to learning. That also means some families, with children who are old enough, can eliminate daycare expenses completely with this type of scheduling option. Accidents, absences, and absences all fall on the decline, and students academic performance rises. It involves increasing communication and various forms of interaction between people of different nations, ethnicities and cultures. Sara Blackwell teaches Employment Law at University of South Florida in Tampa and she is a published author. During recess, limit the number of games or activities that students can participate in. 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. Students already feel like their school day is too long. Granby School District in Colorado shifted to a 4-day schedule for their 1,100 students. As with any innovation, shorter workweeks have advantages and disadvantages. So what are the pros and cons of 4-day school weeks? Some students and parents have been advocating for shorter school days, and there is some evidence to suggest that shorter days could be beneficial. 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. Teachers are attracted by the prospect of having a shorter work week. Students in a 4-day school week are packing 180 days into a condensed 145-day schedule. They may also experience irritability and fatigue. 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: It may reduce the number of discipline referrals for students. Colorado, juvenile crime increased by 73% whenever a school changed their What's the Difference Between Burnout and Demoralization, and What Can Teachers Do About It?