Why is it bad to have a 4 day school week?
Moving to a four-day school week also has many drawbacks. The first of which is that it shifts a financial burden to parents. Childcare for that extra day off can become a major financial burden for working parents. Parents of younger students, in particular, may be forced to pay for costly daycare services.
Why is a 4 day school week less stressful?
Some students feel the four-day school week provides an opportunity for extra rest and a less stressful environment. 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.
What are the effects of a four-day school week?
Shoemaker (2002) stated that “Experts have documented increased attendance, improved morale, and fewer disciplinary problems in four-day schools. However, according to what little research has been done, the four-day week has no measurable effect on student achievement” (p. 9).
Does a 4 day school week improve mental health?
From the perspective of students, a four-day week may increase attendance, limit distractions, improve morale, and lead to better behavior. On the other hand, the longer school days may increase teacher stress and fatigue and could be particularly demanding for younger students.
Should schools have a 4 day school 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.
Are 4 day school weeks better?
National and state-specific research finds minimal impacts of the four-day school week on overall cost savings, but it suggests that four-day school weeks may allow school districts greater resource flexibility in the wake of budget shortfalls.
Is a 4 day school week better?
Students in the four-day weeks spent significantly more time on school sports and on chores than did those in five-day weeks. Most students in the four-day districts—80 percent of high school students and 90 percent of elementary students—spent their “off day” at home.
Should students go to school 4 days a week?
The Benefits of Moving to a Four-Day School Week During a four-day school week, teachers use the fifth day for professional development and in service. Further, many schools that switch to a four-day week extend existing school days, so students benefit from longer class periods involving more hands-on learning.
Should schools change to a 4 day school week?
Proponents of this type of school scheduling suggest students can use this time for special tutoring or enrichment activities. Further, many schools that switch to a four-day week extend existing school days, so students benefit from longer class periods involving more hands-on learning.
Is a 4 day school week good?
The four-day week is enormously popular among parents and students, the new research finds. It typically saves districts a small—but not intangible—amount of cash. And on their day out of school, students are typically working, doing errands, or spending time with family, not running wild.
Why should kids have shorter school weeks?
Reasons for implementing the shorter week vary, but most school districts implement a shorter week seeking to cut costs due to budget constraints. Research shows that the maximum possible cost savings for districts on a four-day week is 5.43 percent, but average savings range from 0.4 to 2.5 percent.
Why should students have a 4 day week?
What happens in a 4 day school week?
It changes the holiday schedules for the school district. Students in a 4-day school week are packing 180 days into a condensed 145-day schedule. This means students in a district with this alternative schedule get out later for the holidays than students on the traditional Monday-Friday schedule.
Can a school district opt into a 4 day week?
Most states allow districts to opt into a four-day week, either through flexible requirements, explicit administrative rules, or a waiver approval process. The level of legislative involvement in this process varies.
How does four day school week affect crime?
The authors estimate that shifting to a four-day schedule increases juvenile arrests for property crime—especially larceny— by 73 percent, but there was no change in drug-related or violent crimes. The increase in property crime was observed on all days of the week, not just spiking on the day when school is not in session.
Is it cheaper to run a 4 day school week?
It is cheaper to run a 4-day school week for some school districts. Rural school districts often look at the 4-day school week as an option because they are trying to meet tight budgetary constraints. By shifting to this new schedule, districts are able to immediately cut 20% from their transportation budget.