pros and cons of shorter school days

There have been several studies that reported the 4-day school week had positive effects on students math and reading scores. Many break times have been incorporated in the calendar, such as morning recess, afternoon recess, snack time, and so on. But slowly over the nation, schools are switching to a four day school week. According to a Center for American Progress study, traditional school schedules are out of sync with the current economic environment. Well, at least initially. In 2022, companies in the U.K., the U.S., and Canada instituted a four-day workweek pilot program to test the concept. In return, the number of disciplinary measures can also be reduced. The Pros and Cons of a 4 Day Working Week - Change Recruitment As a result, students dont have to miss school to help out. The Oakridge School District in Oregon reported that their test scores improved when they shifted to this alternative schedule as well. Good for working parents: This would lead to less wraparound care for working . 6 Benefits of Shorter School Days | Should There Be a Change? - ID Tech What we envisage may not be the most straightforward or the most conventional ideas. (Lewis) In Bonneville, Idaho the school started later in the day which resulted in absences dropping 15%. Pros and Cons of the Four-Day Week Proponents of four-day school weeks say that even though cost savings are minimal, they are achieved. What are the pros and cons of shorter school week? The longer school days of a 4-day week make it almost impossible for teens to find a job after school. Imagine a school year that gave the students one week off after every quarter and every Friday off. 2. that the flexibility of the 4-day work week helps them get more done. Out of a budget of $5.5 million, they saved $206,000. Many say that the four day school week is good for students. Bisbee Unified School District (AZ) saved $154,000, Duval County Public School (FL) saved $7 million, and Lake Superior School District (MN) $200,000. They also said students can gain more time for fun and still receive an excellent education. Shorter Workweek: Pros and Cons for Employee Productivity Are shorter school days better? - Global Answers This occurs because a large number of students are moving around the school campus. The Cons of Longer School Days. 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. 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. Our individualized learning setup at the Tenney School allows us to offer more instruction in a shorter amount of time. Spread the loveBeing a teacher is a tough job. Time of day effects may be induced by variations in the quality of instructors instruction, changes in the learning abilities of students, or differences in student attendance patterns. Lets take a look at some proof. When implemented, however, 1st graders do just as well as teens with the expanded schedule and 3-day weekend. When teachers operate under time constraints, in high-pressure situations, then they typically default to a lecture-based teaching style. Schools benefit from shorter school day - Chapin Chronicle This creates challenges for families that range from transportation to daycare and could make it difficult for parents to be fully involved with their childs education. Sara Blackwell teaches Employment Law at University of South Florida in Tampa and she is a published author. 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). It provides a realistic way for schools to remain open and also has added benefits beyond saving money. There is no one answer to this question as it can depend on individual circumstances. They saved 1.4%, or $45,000, instead. 6. Schools across the country offer extended learning hours. It is encouraged for students to try new things in order to benefit from them. I believe that if we go to a four day school week that it would help the kids physically, mentally, and financially. Kids already spend a very long time each week in the school and away from their family. Cons of the 4-Day School Week. Spread the loveThis term describes a manner of classifying gifted students to place them in properly segmented classrooms. 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. In general, taking away recess as punishment may be seen as unfair or too harsh, especially for young children. 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? The schedule change also shifted how teachers assigned homework, making it more efficient and focused. The only question is does it hurt students education but the statistics are showing that is clearly not the case one bit. 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. Schools are able to switch to a four-day week by simply increasing the length of their school day. In general, ELT has received positive feedback; however, some schools have had more difficult transitions than others. Too Early to Tell Shortening the school day can give kids and teens more time for movement, brain breaks, and other activities that have been shown to improve learning outcomes, among other benefits.. With more room to move and less worry about following the rules in class, kids can be better equipped to focus when needed. In Colorado, 31 of the states 176 school districts are currently using a 4-day school week. After 12 hours of being away from home, students struggle to find time to study during the 4-day school week. They may also experience irritability and fatigue. According to author accounts, teachers and students suffer as a result of recess being taken away as a punishment for behavior. Pros of Year-Round School. The disadvantage is that more time does not equate to more learning. 3. The Benefits of Shorter School Days | Case Study Template Some districts take just one week off at Christmas instead of two weeks because of these conflicts. Who Sang For Troy In High School Musical? Most students, especially younger ones, find that the traditional school schedule is already too long. This got me thinking about the pros and cons of longer vs. shorter trips. I say this because we would have to start. . What are the pros and cons of longer school days? A switch to a 4-day schedule gives teachers more time to use teaching styles that are more effective. It is possible that children will be better prepared to concentrate when it matters because they will have more opportunities to move around and avoid being distracted by classroom rules. To see how shorter school days hurt both teachers and students, we need to look at a major structural change in education. (Question). 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. NOTE : The information on this website is for general information purposes only. A new educational model could be implemented: 9-to-5 schools. flexibility to teachers schedules and as a result, makes their jobs more Public school everything for schoolchildren and students. Many schools are, in fact, offering year-round services now to accommodate the changing needs of their communities. The Pros and Cons of a Four-Day School Week - ThoughtCo This schedule works much better for parents, who often have that working schedule themselves. 3. Delaying school start times has been shown to have positive outcomes for students and families in overwhelming scientific research. More teaching: Covid-19 has resulted in a lot of disruption in teaching. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship. Home Pros and Cons 20 Major Pros and Cons of a 4 Day School Week. Con: A lengthened school day may impede upon extracurricular activities, especially in secondary education. Copyright (c) 2023 Matthew Lynch. Parents can drop-off their kids in the morning, then pick them up in the afternoon, without worrying about work. These actions often negate the benefits of the 3-day weekend because it really isnt a true 3-day weekend. Massachusetts, a pioneer in extended learning time (ELT), has made significant progress in this field. Some research indicates there may be slight academic benefits to extending the school day. 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. The very thought of sending kids to school year-round makes some parents cringe. Students who attend year-round school have the same number of school days as their counterparts following a traditional schedule. The Rochester City Council established the Extended Learning Time initiative as part of Rochesters ongoing commitment to education. Sports schedules are easier to manage. Most parents work a 5-day schedule and struggle to adapt to a 4-day school schedule. What's the Difference Between Burnout and Demoralization, and What Can Teachers Do About It? When larger school districts attempt this kind of schedule, they find few, if any, benefits coming from their actions. Staying at school for the majority of the day isn't allowing me . Four day working week: What are the pros and cons? - World Economic Forum Spread the loveBuilding a culturally responsive classroom is hard. Lets face it our best school memories arent from tests or pop quizzes. Students spend less time on the bus. Do students learn better in shorter classes? Spread the loveWe all have our heroes. Those that had implemented the alternative scheduling found that student attendance could rise by more than 20. Pros. Shortening the School Day | Education - Seattle PI There is no one answer to this question as every disabled students experience is unique. 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. Better sleep: Delayed start time could help teens sleep during . Sometimes, schools are forced to travel during the school week to play some games or attend certain events. Childrens schooldays should be around 8 hours long, and they should be school-aged all year. Increasing the length of school days may result in attention deficit and exhaustion, rendering the additional class time unproductive. In 1095or in 1905, depending on your sourcesRoberto Nevelis of Venice, Italy, is often credited with inventing the concept of homework. An eight-hour day is pretty undesirable for elementary-aged kids. Why Should School Days Be Longer? (Best solution) 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. Elizabeth Perle 1). 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. 2023 The Black Well Firm. Children need the opportunity to rest and re-energize, and theyre often overextended with activities, homework and part-time jobs. Does precision really make a program successful? 1. Some schools do not allow recess to be used as punishment, while others may do so on a case-by-case basis. Some school districts have reported saving You should approach these strategies with your childs teacher instead of punishing him or her. Pros and Cons of Year-Round School - American University The requirements for total education time do not change just because a school district goes to a 4-day school week. Christmas and Spring holiday weeks may be extended as well. Year-Round Or Traditional Schedule? - Public School Review 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. Extending the school year may help make teaching a full-time, more lucrative profession for educators if year-round schools can cut costs through . Games occur in the evening, often on the weekend. They found out that seven school districts saved money under the new Finally, some parents worry that shorter days could mean that their children would have less time to participate in extracurricular activities. This is one of the strongest arguments in favour of a longer school day. However, these basics vary, depending on a company's policy. Younger people shouldn't have to work as long as some adults do. It is critical to maintain a consistent schedule and not change it on a weekly basis in order to give students the best chance of success. 1. Your email address will not be published. The school day was originally created to meet the needs of farmers. Year-Round Schedules Many people think of the school year as starting in August or at the beginning of September and continuing for 10 months. 4-day school weeks add These crimes occurred all during the week, Shorter days can only be seen as a positive thing and would benefit students, teacher, and administrators. Spread the loveAre you looking for ways to teach students appropriate mealtime manners? Pros And Cons Of A Four-Day School Week - The Odyssey Online To be competitive in a global market, students need to be exposed to a wide variety of subject matter. Students are still getting the same amount of instruction in terms of minutes, just in a shorter number of days. Also, since special populations fare poorly in this configuration, the costs of This schedule cycles consistently throughout the year while making minor adjustments for major holidays and teacher workdays. In some situations, a single teacher may be responsible for over 100 students. Going to the 4-day schedule can create scheduling conflicts with other districts, particularly with sporting events, performances, and groups like 4-H. Employment opportunities with a 3-day weekend are increasing. 3. Does time of day affect student learning? Shorter school days should be utilized in the U.S. education system as it comes with many benefits. Spread the loveThe Talent Search Initiative has as its aim; the identification of high-performing students by organizing specific tests. In the standard 5-day school week, sports practices occur after school. It is a program for mostly rural and small school districts. Data is an important variable if youre considering the longer school days pros and cons list. When Friday rolls around each week during the school year, many parents face the same situation. Pros & Cons of Longer School Lunches | livestrong Saving on utilities school buses, and long term building wear and tear. Additional learning time as well as improved schedule alignment would make the lives of families noticeably more pleasant. So it is illogical to think that a four day week will help other grade levels. 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. Black Boys in Crisis: Why Arent They Reading? According to the findings, relocating some math classes to the morning and other subjects, such as English, to the afternoon might result in an increase in students GPAs and test outcomes. In 1995, 84 school districts were studied that had already implemented a 4-day school week. Opportunity to relax and really immerse yourself in the experience. From the moment you walk into the second you walk out. The Pros and Cons of Longer vs. Shorter Trips. Schools can save up to 20% on some budget-line expenses with a 4-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. The Trump Administrations Vindictive Attack On Federal Workers: The Shutdown Of The Office Of Special Counsel, Michigan State University College Of Law: A Top Law School, Why Union Safe Company Is The Best Choice For Protecting Your Home Or Business, The Life Of John Laurens: A Patriot Lawyer And Army Officer. To avoid this issue, many school districts have considered shifting to a 4-day school week. According to the vast majority of states, spanking your child is against the law. Anticipated savings are in transportation, food and food service workers, hourly workers and utilities. Increases student attendance. A three-day weekend allows for extra leisure time, as well as a reduction in commute and energy usage. 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. Defining Moments Are What Make Good School Leaders Great, Year-Round Schooling: How it Affects Students, Why you need a multi-tiered behavioral support approach, Understanding Strategy and Strategic Leadership, Teaching & Learning Strategies, Concepts, and Terms That Every Teacher Must Know: Letters DIA-DIG, First-Year Teachers: 4 Reasons You Need a Mentor Right Now, 18 Reasons the U.S. Education System is Failing, The Top 5 Unexpected Benefits of Early Childhood Education. Cutting that by 20% means a savings of $4 billion, if implemented nationwide. Most parents have employment which requires them to be present for 8 hours per day, 5 days per week. We were able to build a strong community and school consensus as a result of our programs success. Should the school day start later pros and cons? Con: Not all students need one-on-one assistance, and some may even experience boredom or burnout from the extended school day. Many companies have found that when workers are able to work a schedule which suits their needs, letting them work how they like, then their workers are more productive. If something goes wrong . Four Day School Week: The Pros And Cons - HonorsGradU Easier to recruit employees. The Pros and Cons of a 4 Day Work Week - TimeCamp The Pros and Cons of Year-Round School for Kids - Verywell Family Rural school districts and small school districts benefit the most from a 4-day schedule because of their natural isolation. Shorter school days should be used in the United States education system since they have several advantages. There tends to be less student exhaustion, which allows them to focus more on the learning process. For school districts struggling with funding issues, the potential savings here could save the budget. Overall, a shorter school schedule resulted in a 7% increase in math scores and a 3% gain in reading. 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%. Teachers report The Pros and Cons of a Shortened School Schedule Every issue has its good and bad bits, and the same is true for districts making the switch to a shortened school week. Spread the loveThis term refers to the grouping of students by mental capability, aptitude, or hobbies. There are some drawbacks to shorter school days, as well. The Pros and Cons of the Four-Day School Week - LINQ There is the possibility of making up for lost time, especially those who are at a disadvantage due to the digital divide. Long summers are known to cause "summer slide," or the decline of academic skills and knowledge over the course of the extended vacation. Finally, some parents worry that shorter days could mean that their children would have less . Another is that shorter days could lead to shorter attention spans in classrooms. Should schools go to a 4 day school week instead of 5 days? They can explore and discover various hobbies and interests, maintain their stress levels and get more sleep. The Advantages and Disadvantages Of Four-Day Work Week - The Adecco Group 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. Budgetary requirements are an important part of a longer school days pros and cons list. For non year-round schools the dropout rate is 5%, which is more than all year-round schools. In the 4-day school week remediating them begin to take a bite out of the budget. Most students, especially younger ones, find that the traditional school schedule is already too long. By switching to a 4-day school week, the number of transitions can be reduced because more time can be spent on each subject. We can all agree that school feels like it lasts forever. If so, keep reading. The idea has been to cut hours while keeping pay the same. Others believe that lengthening the school day is an expensive endeavor that wont yield substantial results. The four-day school is a phenomenon that has been sweeping across the U.S. One is that it would likely mean that teachers would have to teach more classes, which could lead to burnout. It may improve overall student attendance. They question the value of a continuous . One is that it would likely mean that teachers would have to teach more classes, which could lead to burnout. 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. There can be no one answer to this question because it is a matter of case by case. 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. Along with giving kids more time to concentrate on critical activities, a shortened school day would also provide pupils with more opportunity to relax. 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. Student performance may improve with a 4-day school week. Should school hours be shorter? School Days Should Be Shorter: Persuasive Essay Easier to recruit employees. Some students and parents have been advocating for shorter school days, and there is some evidence to suggest that shorter days could be beneficial. . over 1 million dollars on utilities, busing, and labor costs. One internet search reveals a wealth of opinions on both sides of the issue, and each argument sheds light on the topic. SHORTER SCHOOL DAYS Science Leadership Academy @ Center City That reduces the effective time they would have for homework once they actually make it home. At the same time, the constant back-and-forth for students limits the amount of fun they can have. There were also reduced sick days requested by their teaching staff. (Solution). Since an entire day is cut off the week, that extra time needs to be made up during the remaining four days. In New Mexico, 18 of the states 89 school districts are currently using this alternative schedule. Spread the loveGlobalization is the growing interconnectedness of countries around the world. The program not only saves districts money, but it also allows students to spend more time with their families. Pros and cons of dropping out of school - Pros an Cons Arguments For and Against Longer School Years - Poynter The Advantages and Disadvantages of Extended School Days Advantage: More time to devote to learning. The schedule forces teachers to spend small blocks of time on specific topics without really being able to dig into in-depth issues. They balk at the idea of kids attending schools with no summer break. 1. 4-Day School Weeks: New Research Examines the Benefits and Drawbacks