Why should school be 4 days a week?

Proponents of four-day school weeks say that even though cost savings are minimal, they are achieved. 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.


Is a 4 day school week beneficial?

Better Teacher and Student Morale

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.

What are the pros and cons of a 4 day school week?

The Pros and Cons of a Shortened School Schedule
  • Attracts More Teachers. ...
  • Cost Savings. ...
  • Improved Work-Life Balance. ...
  • Built-In Training Time. ...
  • The Schedule is Inequitable. ...
  • The Cost Savings is Minimal for Most. ...
  • Longer Days are Tough on Younger Students. ...
  • A Lack of Supervision Creates Problems.


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.

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.


Why School Should Only Be 4 Days A Week



What parents think about 4 day school week?

A 2021 study by the RAND Corporation found that 84% of parents with kids in four-day districts said they “probably” or “definitely” prefer a four-day school week to a five-day school week.

Why should school be 5 days a week instead of 4?

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.

What are the benefits of shorter school days?

10 Noteworthy Benefits of a Shorter School Day
  • Extra Time for Other Interests. ...
  • Extra Time for More Lessons. ...
  • Less Time Wasted With Classroom Management. ...
  • More Sleep at Both Ends of the Day. ...
  • Improved Family Dynamics and Reduced Stress. ...
  • Alignment With Circadian Rhythms. ...
  • Time to Travel to Other Locations.


What are the cons of a 4 day school week?

Potential Disadvantages:
  • Drop in student achievement. ...
  • Lack of childcare options for younger students on the days that school is not in session.
  • Negative financial impact on the school nutrition programs.
  • Fewer meals provided each to low-income students.
  • Increase in juvenile crime.


Why school should not be on Fridays?

Here's why: Many students would be left alone on Fridays. They could get into trouble or get hurt. Longer school days would make students more tired at the end of the day.

What are the benefits of a 4 day week?

The four-day workweek is becoming increasingly popular as companies strive to find unique ways to support their employees' mental health and happiness. Some of the main benefits of a shorter workweek include increased productivity, decreased business expenses, and a smaller carbon footprint.


What state has 4 day school week?

The four-week school day in practice

“Most of these are found in the western half of the U.S. so places like Oregon, Montana, Idaho, Colorado and Oklahoma,” according to Thompson.

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.

How does a 4 day school week affect students?

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. Over many years, those losses can add up for students.


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.

How does a 4 day school week benefit parents?

Proponents of four-day school weeks say that even though cost savings are minimal, they are achieved. 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.

Why should schools have 3 day weekends?

In summary, three-day weekends could help mental health and after-school activities, as well as just giving more opportunities for other things such as appointments. This could majorly benefit the student body and perhaps even the teachers as well.


Should a school day be shorter?

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 country has 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.

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 days be longer pros and cons?

Pros vs. Cons of Extended School Days
  • Pro: More Time for Learning. Lengthening the school day will give teachers more time to spend with students, to focus on trouble areas and more difficult material. ...
  • Con: More Time Doesn't Mean More Learning. ...
  • Pro: More Time for Other Subjects. ...
  • Con: Less Time for Outside Interests.


Why don't we go to school on weekends?

They were introduced following the Industrial Revolution. The weekend was created to give workers at least two days of rest per week. Why Saturday and Sunday? These days were chosen as the weekend because of their importance in two major world religions, Judaism and Christianity.

What does research say about 4 day school week?

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.


Is there any negative consequences of 4 day week?

There will also be knock-on effects on the rest of the team if everyone is just shifting their meeting times to one less day a week, or worse, if people are taking different days off from each other. It could mean longer stretches of meetings on those four days, which are also a cause of burnout and dissatisfaction.

Is 4 days of school good?

Increased attendance – the transition to 4 days has been proven to increase student attendance, in some schools by up to 20% in a two year period. More time for extra-curricular pursuits – An extra school-free day enables students to spend valuable time exploring their interests outside of the classroom.
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