Alexander Alvarez, Reporter November 16, 2021. The trade-off for a shorter week is a longer school day. 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. Students usually go to school about 6 hours each day in most districts. Should the school week be shortened to 4 days? - Wise-Answer Children have a six-week summer break and ten days of off every 45 days of class. 1. It is a program for mostly rural and small school districts. What are the advantages and disadvantages of including issues such as child care? There is no one answer to this question as every disabled students experience is unique. The longer school days of a 4-day week make it almost impossible for teens to find a job after school. This leads to added costs that some families, living paycheck to paycheck, may not be able to afford. Other schools are worried about academic performance. 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 . Finally, some parents worry that shorter days could mean that their children would have less time to participate in extracurricular activities. What we envisage may not be the most straightforward or the most conventional ideas. The move toward a shorter workweek is gaining momentum. There have been several studies that reported the 4-day school week had positive effects on students math and reading scores. Black Boys in Crisis: Why Arent They Reading? It matches the class schedule to a parent's work schedule. 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. 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. 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. That additional day can also be used for staff development time instead of taking away a school day to do so. 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. 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 four-day school is a phenomenon that has been sweeping across the U.S. 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 is a variety of emotional and behavioral problems, depression, alcohol use, and impaired cognitive function that can contribute to this. 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. I am glad that you asked. Year-round schooling has been proposed as a better option for students than a traditional 9-month schedule. This schedule cycles consistently throughout the year while making minor adjustments for major holidays and teacher workdays. If so, keep reading. Advantage: More time for other subjects. At the same time, teacher attendance rates also rose, which is a trend still seen in these districts, 20+ years later. However, these basics vary, depending on a company's policy. by elenam112 states This means the school would be open longer, resulting in larger electrical and heating bills. Schools would need to stay open later at night for after school activities and stay open early in the morning for students who are dropped off early. 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. Some districts take just one week off at Christmas instead of two weeks because of these conflicts. When it comes to school, we most likely understand what its like to go to school all year. The pros of year-round school Eliminating any sort of long break from school can improve a child's academic achievement. What Are the Pros of a Longer School Day? The Pros and Cons of Longer vs. Shorter Trips. 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. 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. disabled students may also find it difficult to participate in extracurricular activities and socialise with their peers. Pros Vs. Cons of Extended School Days - The Classroom The University of New Mexico Newsroom: Research Study Yields Unexpected Conclusion About Longer School Years. Despite these difficulties, many disabled students go on to lead successful and fulfilling lives. The four-day week did not appear to affect. 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. Moving to the 4-day schedule shifts student movement patterns, reducing the number of lost transition minutes. It takes about 4-years for schools to get these students back on track academically. Taking only one class is practically a . 19 Advantages and Disadvantages of 4 Day School Weeks Since many of the families in these areas run farms, it gives families extra time to get work done during the week. Colorado, juvenile crime increased by 73% whenever a school changed their Should school hours be shorter? That may mean reducing Spring Break to 2 days instead of having the entire week off. NOTE : The information on this website is for general information purposes only. There can be no one answer to this question because it is a matter of case by case. Good for working parents: This would lead to less wraparound care for working . 4. not just on the weekdays when students were out of school. It starts too early, ends too late, and occurs far too often. Games occur in the evening, often on the weekend. Which one is the best? 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. 2. You should approach these strategies with your childs teacher instead of punishing him or her. 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. How do longer school days affect students? The ability to express oneself via electives can make children happier and more cooperative in the classroom. Why Should School Days Be Longer? (Best solution) It is important to consider all of the factors before making a decision. 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. Third, shorter days could reduce the amount of time that students spend on the bus or in the car, which would save money and reduce pollution. They need a shorter school day so they can have more time to relax and play. Does this sound exciting and rich with possibilities? They question the value of a continuous . They balk at the idea of kids attending schools with no summer break. 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. Data from the National Association of Year-Round Education . His conclusion was that the best way to solve poverty was to educate the children in public schools. the fifth day, but they forget, they will still be open and running activities Why shorter school days are better for teachers? Con: A lengthened school day may impede upon extracurricular activities, especially in secondary education. That means the students in those districts have better opportunities to learn. Students will have extra time outside of school to devote to other essential elements of their life as a result of this change. Decreased need to re-teach skills after long vacations, allowing teachers to use classroom time more efficiently. On the plus side, employees love it. If something goes wrong . What's the Difference Between Burnout and Demoralization, and What Can Teachers Do About It? Do students learn better in shorter classes? 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. Christmas and Spring holiday weeks may be extended as well. 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. . The major pros and cons of a 4-day school week suggest that it can save money for districts, which means taxpayers benefit. There are improvements in the school financially. 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. Some districts have seen their disciplinary issues decline by more than 70% in the first two years of implementing a 4-day schedule. Well, for some rural schools across the nation, this has become a reality. In the United States, the average school day is around six and a half hours long. Many school districts still operate Monday-Friday, even on a 4-day week. 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. The school day was originally created to meet the needs of farmers. While small gains were made in reading, math and writing, there were no statistically significant results for children in the areas of receptive language, social skills or vocabulary. Pros and cons of shorter work weeks - Royal Examiner The pros and cons of a 4-day school week offer many challenges. Childrens schooldays should be around 8 hours long, and they should be school-aged all year. The Advantages and Disadvantages of Extended School Days Advantage: More time to devote to learning. A longer school day would involve substantial funding for teacher salaries and facility maintenance. Many recommend that teens get at least eight hours of sleep to feel well rested and . The Advantages and Disadvantages of Extended School Days Advantage: More time to devote to learning. 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. 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. The evaluated skills include science, math, and reading. They saved 1.4%, or $45,000, instead. teams may need to practice, professional development sessions may convene, etc. Increasing the length of school days may result in attention deficit and exhaustion, making the additional class time inefficient. Students have more time outside of school to focus on other important aspects of their lives. Pros and Cons of a Shorter Workweek. 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. In general, ELT has received positive feedback; however, some schools have had more difficult transitions than others. It changes the holiday schedules for the school district. Spread the loveThis term describes a manner of classifying gifted students to place them in properly segmented classrooms. Students usually go to school about 6 hours each day in most districts. The Cons. Delaying school start times has been shown to have positive outcomes for students and families in overwhelming scientific research. Pros & Cons of Lengthening the School Day - Synonym 3. It provides a realistic way for schools to remain open and also has added benefits beyond saving money. It may eliminate common holidays, such as Memorial Day or Labor Day, from the schedule. 4. One is that students might not have enough time to receive all the instruction they need in a particular subject. Thats two hours of lost time for farm chores, homework, or other responsibilities that rural families have more often than urban or suburban families. 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. About 20% of the states school districts incorporate a 4-day schedule of some kind. Teachers report For others, perhaps not. Increases student attendance. The benefits are many. Over the course of a 2-year period on this alternative schedule, they reported up to a 20% increase in student attendance. 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. Although the final outcome was beneficial the origins of the extended day was not welcomed. That also makes scheduling problematic for many families. 2. They also said students can gain more time for fun and still receive an excellent education. Colorado has nearly three-quarters of its school districts on a four-day schedule. Pros and cons of shorter work weeks. The final class ends 1-2 hours before the work day ends for most parents. The Advantages and Disadvantages of Extended School Days Advantage: More time to devote to learning. The decision to implement such a schedule must therefore be handled at the local level. 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. In 1095or in 1905, depending on your sourcesRoberto Nevelis of Venice, Italy, is often credited with inventing the concept of homework. Schools are facing many issues today. What Grades Is Elementary School? 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! Data is an important variable if youre considering the longer school days pros and cons list. This schedule works much better for parents, who often have that working schedule themselves. What are the pros and cons of longer school days? The four-day week, according to the research, is far more cost-effective than the traditional five-day week. All rights reserved. The list just gets longer. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. Many of these schools are already operating on an alternative schedule because that is what works best for their community. Wildbit, a company based in the US, a portion of whose workforce works remotely, tested the 4-day week to see whether the shorter working hours will affect employee productivity. 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. Parents can drop-off their kids in the morning, then pick them up in the afternoon, without worrying about work. For non year-round schools the dropout rate is 5%, which is more than all year-round schools. Why School Days Should Be Shorter? (Solution) - Public school There are numerous advantages and disadvantages to each. By switching to a 4-day school week, the number of transitions can be reduced because more time can be spent on each subject. There is no one answer to this question as it can depend on individual circumstances. Staying at school for the majority of the day isn't allowing me . Advantage: More time to devote to learning. 12 Pros and Cons of a 4 Day School Week - Vittana.org This is a big con for me, as sacrificing the futures of our most vulnerable students is not worth the trivial benefits of 4-day school weeks. Why is year round school better? Explained by Sharing Culture . recess is not only ineffective but also harmful to students who may feel that the punishment is excessive. 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. Custer School District, in rural South Dakota, believed they could save $70,000 with a 4-day school week. Some of the pros of year-round schooling include: 1 . The Pros and Cons of the Four-Day School Week - LINQ The disadvantage is that more time does not equate to more learning. The Pros and Cons of a 4 Day Working Week - Change Recruitment Four day working week: What are the pros and cons? - World Economic Forum The Chattooga County School District in Georgia shifted to a 4-day school week. In the United States, $17.5 billion each year is spent on school bus transportation. flexibility is why they are such staunch proponents of the 4-day school schedule. If she is not receptive to your suggestions, you may want to get a doctors note stating that recess is required. After physical activity, children with or without ADHD appear to perform better at attention, memory, and mood. This has been a hot topic especially the states that dont have as large of an economy. All of these consequences just because nobody wants to shorten the school day. This issue occurs at all grade levels. If young kids are too weary to concentrate or perform well in class, they may experience weariness or fall asleep during class time. ", 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. Employment opportunities with a 3-day weekend are increasing. Instead, an investment should be made in improving teaching strategies and new technology that could transform the learning process. First, it would give students more time to focus on their homework and studies outside of school. Year-round education (YRE) is being considered or adopted by some districts. "I get really tired throughout the day and I would love shorter school hours." 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? school schedules from 5 to 4 days. Despite the fact that a few studies have recently been published, there is no significant research on the four-day school week. Required fields are marked *, on Why School Days Should Be Shorter? Does precision really make a program successful? According to him, providing education to all would be beneficial to society. The disadvantage is that more time does not equate to more learning. The Agrarian calendar is rooted in the past. Students with less sleep have difficulty paying attention in class and are likely to have lower grades. This means students in a district with this alternative schedule get out later for the holidays than students on the traditional Monday-Friday schedule. The Advantages and Disadvantages of Extended School Days. The Pros and Cons of Year-Round Schools. Shorter days can only be seen as a positive thing and would benefit students, teacher, and administrators. Those human beings that seem larger than life and almost achieve Godlike status. School administration, associates with principal office also went down. Pros and Cons of Year-Round School - American University 5. But recently, there has been a move towards shorter weeks across the United States. How a shorter school day affects students - articledocument.com Increasing the length of school days may result in attention deficit and exhaustion, rendering the additional class time unproductive. SHORTER SCHOOL DAYS Science Leadership Academy @ Center City 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. There are 21 states that have four-day school districts. According to the majority of the researchers, the inconclusive results do not imply that decisions to change schedules should be made based on test scores. . 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. Pros of Year-Round School. All rights reserved. Spread the loveAfrican Africans have a long history of being mistreated in the United States, starting with slavery. If so, keep reading. One internet search reveals a wealth of opinions on both sides of the issue, and each argument sheds light on the topic. The Oakridge School District in Oregon reported that their test scores improved when they shifted to this alternative schedule as well. Obesity, anxiety and stress, as well as lower grades, can all be attributed to a lack of sleep, according to the National Sleep Foundation. These will be some pros of a four day school week. It would also be beneficial to reduce the week in order to promote activity participation. This occurs because a large number of students are moving around the school campus. That reduces the effective time they would have for homework once they actually make it home. 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. 4 day school week would be better for schools without a doubt because you save money and kids will be more refreshed and not burned out also their behavior is showed to become better. Con: Not all students need one-on-one assistance, and some may even experience boredom or burnout from the extended school day. four-day week across 16 school districts. Easier to recruit employees. School districts save money. Longer school days may lead to attention deficit and fatigue, making the extra class time ineffective. If so, keep reading. It might help school districts save money. There have been several studies that reported the 4-day school week had positive effects on student's math and reading scores. To compare, a regular semester generally lasts 16-18 weeks. 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. 12 Pros and Cons of a 4 Day School Week (2023) One is that it would likely mean that teachers would have to teach more classes, which could lead to burnout. 1. 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 . Delaying school start times is associated with a decrease in bedtimes and an increase in sleep for every minute the school day is delayed. One way to address these issues is to shift the traditional school schedule into a 4-day week. 2. These school districts are typically in isolated regions, are rural, and have a student body that is fewer than 500 students. A small portion of the districts cash is saved, but not as much as intangibles. Sometimes, schools are forced to travel during the school week to play some games or attend certain events. Students can adjust to the new schedule. Another is that shorter days could lead to shorter attention spans in classrooms. Budgetary requirements are an important part of a longer school days pros and cons list. Additionally student involvement and safety would suffer. This can be due to a lack of accessible facilities and resources, or negative attitudes and misconceptions from teachers and classmates. Rural areas report that their student attendance has increased since switching to the 4-day school week. The school districts may operate classes Monday-Thursday on a 4-day week (or Tuesday-Friday in some instances), but they are still operational from an administrative standpoint on the off-day. As you can see, there are a lot of pros and cons to the 4-day school week, but in terms of its long-term effect on academic outcomes, the jury is still out. Over the next three years, the school district was able to save 2% on their overall costs each year, for a total of $200,000. It may improve overall student attendance. 2. 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. 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. 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. Cons: The obvious reason for not shortening school days is the lack of learning time. 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. Their students were more focused because they were more rested, which equated to fewer classroom disruptions. The. The kids groan, complain about getting out of bed, and struggle to get through the morning routine. Spread the loveAre you looking for ways to teach students appropriate mealtime manners? Another potential drawback is that shorter school days could lead to more after-school activities, which could be a problem for working parents. Pros & Cons of Longer School Lunches | livestrong According to ASCD, many disciplinary issues that students face come from scheduled transitions. As a result, learning is less effective due to budget constraints. Finally, shorter school days could result in less time for extracurricular activities, which could have a negative impact on student morale.