Does a 4 day school week improve grades?

But now seven newer studies generally find negative results – some tiny and some more substantial. One 2021 study in Oregon, for example, calculated that the four-day week shaved off one-sixth of the usual gains that a fifth grader makes in math, equal to about five to six weeks of school.

How does a 4 day school week benefit students?

The four-day format provides opportunities for an extra work day at an after-school job, engaging in volunteer activities or pursuing additional educational goals. Also, students who are athletes don't miss as much class and have less work to make up when events occur on a day off.

Are 4 day school weeks better?

A 2022 study that looks at four-day school schedules in 12 states reveals that student test scores in math and language arts fell slightly at schools operating an average of 29.95 hours per week. Test scores did not change at schools operating 31.03 hours or more during their four-day weeks, on average.

How does a four-day school week affect academic performance?

Although almost all the test score differences were not statistically significant, at the elementary, middle, and high school levels, mean scores of students on the five- day week were slightly higher in 11 out of 12 areas than their counterparts on the four-day week.

Why should schools not have a 4 day week?

One study showed that a four-day week school had almost 60 fewer hours of instruction over the course of a year. Elementary students also tend to fare worse in four-day week schools. Having a day off works out better for high schoolers because they are usually leaving class for sports or other extracurriculars anyway.

Study suggests four-day school week impacts math performance

Is there any negative consequences of 4-day week?

Here's what you need to know: Pros of a 4-day workweek can include cost savings, increased productivity, and employee retention. Some disadvantages, however, can include scheduling challenges, reduced producivity, and added stress.

What country has 4-day school weeks?

Iceland. Iceland tested four-day, 35-36-hour weeks from 2015-2019 with more than 2,500 employees, or roughly 1% of the country's total workforce. Participating employers included police departments, schools, and the Reykjavik mayor's office, and employees kept their same salary. The test was considered a huge success.

Do longer school days improve grades?

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. This means that a longer day does not necessarily correlate with higher achievement.

Should school be 4 days a week pros and cons?

There have been several studies that reported the 4-day school week had positive effects on student's math and reading scores. On the other hand, there have been studies that found no significant difference in overall academic achievement between four-day districts and five-day districts.

Why shorter school days are better?

Shortening the school day could give kids and teens more time for movement, brain breaks, and other activities proven to boost learning outcomes among other benefits. With more opportunities to move around and worry less about following classroom rules, kids could be better prepared to focus when it counts.

What is the hardest quarter of the school year?

Out of all of the quarters, the 3rd quarter of the school year is notorious for being the most stressful. During this quarter, high schoolers are given more tests and homework.

Why would it be better to have 4 days of school?

Argue says the board saves money through reduced busing costs and lower heating bills, and that absenteeism dropped significantly among all levels of staff after the introduction of the shorter week.

Why students should go to school 3 days a week?

While every Friday does not need to be a day off, cancelling Friday or Monday classes more frequently will help students improve their time management skills, as well as better their mental health. Having a three-day weekend lets students break up their work over three days instead of two.

Does 4 day school week improve mental health?

It can benefit the students' mental health and social life while benefiting the district's bank account. Getting an extra day off can be very helpful. Switching to a four-day school week can be a step in the right direction for Burroughs.

Why kids should have longer weekends?

Having a long weekend for many can give people time to temporarily escape the stress of education and work. Individuals will come back from the break more focused and motivated to continue where they left off.

Does shortening the school week impact student performance?

Our results generally indicate a positive relationship between the four-day week and performance in reading and mathematics. These findings suggest there is little evidence that moving to a four-day week compromises student academic achievement.

How many schools in the US have a 4 day school week?

An additional 140 smaller and more rural districts out of the 518 districts statewide already teach on a four-day schedule. In 2018, 650 schools nationwide across 24 states shortened their week.

Why do we need 5 days of school?

Coming to school five days per week provides the best consistency and routine for children, which we believe is fundamental to strong development at this early, formative age.

Can absences lower your grade?

For classes that meet twice a week: More than two unexcused absences will lower your grade as follows: Three unexcused absences, lowers one letter grade; four unexcused absences, lowers two letter grades; five unexcused absences, lowers three letter grades.

How long is a school day in Japan?

In general, kids have to be at school by 8:45 am. School finishes around 3:15 pm, so they have to be in school for about six and a half hours every day from Monday to Friday. However, most kids also attend after-school clubs, and many also go to juku (cram school) in the evening to do extra studying.

How long is a school day in China?

The school days usually last a whole day (from around 8:00 until 17:00) with 45-minutes-long classes, with a little more flexible schedules in more rural areas. In China's metropolises, where lunch breaks are shorter, kids might finish school around 15:00 as well.

What state has the least school days?

Besides the states that do not have a required minimum number of school days each year, Colorado has the fewest required school days in the United States, at 160. States with no minimum school day requirements are Arkansas, Idaho, Nebraska, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

What is the shortest school day?

Finland School Hours

Typically, the Finnish school day starts anywhere from 9 to 9:45 a.m., and students typically spend only about five hours a day in the classroom. What's more, Finnish students typically have little to no homework. As for teachers?

What's the longest school day?

On March 7, Wang Hao-yu, a young councilor of Zhongli District, Taoyuan City, posted on his Facebook page saying that teenagers in Taiwan spend the longest time at school in the world, which is “abnormal.” The average high school hours in Taiwan is 9.5 hours, starting from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., which is even longer . ...

Why are people against 4 day work week?

Wrong Approach. Many confused the concept of a 4 day work week with compressed hours. Employees who are expected to still work 35 hours, but across 4 days will actually show decreased levels of productivity and it can also impact employees' engagement, work-life balance and overall happiness.