pros and cons of shorter school days

It requires longer school days. Increase Engagement and Productivity. Pros and cons of shorter work weeks. The American Academy of Pediatrics states that children between the ages of 12 and 18 require at least eight hours of sleep per night, and in some cases as much as nine hours. These crimes occurred all during the week, 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. It also means that they would have more time to mark the voluminous quantity of homework that they have to complete every night. 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. Students usually go to school about 6 hours each day in most districts. The four-day week, according to the research, is far more cost-effective than the traditional five-day week. Second, it would allow students to get more sleep, which is important for their health and well-being. Moving to the 4-day schedule shifts student movement patterns, reducing the number of lost transition minutes. I say this because we would have to start. She is the author and co-author of 12 books and serves as a consultant in K-12 and higher education. time attracting qualified applicants. When students are too tired or mentally exhausted to concentrate at the end of the day, the last hour becomes meaningless. The Four-Day School Week Overview - National Conference of State Legislatures Extending the school day is a hot topic for educational policy making bodies. Less time in school could allow students the freedom to discover other interests that are fulfilling and stimulating. In the standard 5-day school week, sports practices occur after school. 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. That is because larger districts offer more activities, manage more student events, and operate essentially 7 days per week during the school year anyway. 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. According to author accounts, teachers and students suffer as a result of recess being taken away as a punishment for behavior. If so, keep reading. Most schools, when Year Round Schooling: Should it Be Implemented? These schools save all this money from just switching to a shorter week. 20 Major Pros and Cons of a 4 Day School Week - BrandonGaille The 180-day calendar is shorter than that of other industrialized countries, and some schools even find ways to shave days even further. What are the Pros and Cons of 4-Day School Weeks? Also, since special populations fare poorly in this configuration, the costs of Pros and cons of dropping out of school - Pros an Cons You still have to go to practice, and dont forget the piles of homework that need done. Required fields are marked *, on Why School Days Should Be Shorter? It provides an extra day for actual rest to occur when it may be needed without compromising the remainder of the family schedule. In Students with less sleep have difficulty paying attention in class and are likely to have lower grades. This leads to added costs that some families, living paycheck to paycheck, may not be able to afford. Teachers report Longer school days make no sense when there is so much else we could be doing with our time. Rural areas report that their student attendance has increased since switching to the 4-day school week. Copyright (c) 2023 Matthew Lynch. 2. 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. Students are tired and cranky by the end of the day. Budgetary requirements are an important part of a longer school days pros and cons list. It might help school districts save money. 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. Pro: An extended school day provides more flexibility for parents, eliminating the need for after-school care. configuration, but nine districts were actually spending more. Along with giving kids more time to concentrate on critical activities, a shortened school day would also provide pupils with more opportunity to relax. It has been so problematic that in Colorado, some urban districts which switched to a 4-day school week have gone back to the traditional scheduling instead. Despite these difficulties, many disabled students go on to lead successful and fulfilling lives. 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. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship. For non year-round schools the dropout rate is 5%, which is more than all year-round schools. 10 Reasons Why School Days Should Not Be Shorter? (TOP 5 Tips) Because school buses are only running 4 days per week instead of 5 days, there is the potential of reducing transportation costs by up to 20% by shifting the schedule. 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. Delaying school start times will assist students in developing the skills required to reach their full potential. Lets take a look at some proof. There are various school days in the United States. The disadvantage is that more time does not equate to more learning. More teaching: Covid-19 has resulted in a lot of disruption in teaching. Spread the loveEducation is a collaborative process, as it takes many stakeholders working in unison to help students succeed academically. Spread the loveBuilding a culturally responsive classroom is hard. The Pros and Cons of Longer vs. Shorter Trips. But you see with shorter school days youd have more spare time to complete school work. In general, taking away recess as punishment may be seen as unfair or too harsh, especially for young children. These are the key points that must be addressed first. Some families find that aligning the school day with typical parent work schedules is a family-friendly approach. 2. 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. The Agrarian calendar is rooted in the past. Du Bois Essay Topics to Write about, Most Interesting Volvo Essay Topics to Write about, is a phenomenon that has been sweeping across the U.S. The Pros and Cons of Year-Round School for Kids - Verywell Family 1. For some, a 4-day week makes perfect sense. Spread the loveThis term describes a manner of classifying gifted students to place them in properly segmented classrooms. There are a few reasons why shorter school days could be beneficial. After-school activities begin at that point, which means some students dont make it back home until 8pm that night. 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. Con: A lengthened school day may impede upon extracurricular activities, especially in secondary education. 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. Those that had implemented the alternative scheduling found that student attendance could rise by more than 20. Year round schools, can actually benefit students in the long run. Five-day schools still have the edge in many districts Despite the fact that many districts have seen their test scores make a substantial leap, there are some five-day schools that are still outpacing them academically. 3. There are potential savings to food programs and other important areas of infrastructure because the school district is closed 1 additional day each week. So it is illogical to think that a four day week will help other grade levels. In 2009, there were 3,000 schools in the United States operating on a year-round basis. The trade-off for a shorter week is a longer school day. To compare, a regular semester generally lasts 16-18 weeks. So it is illogical to think that a four day week will help other grade levels. Spread the loveAfrican Africans have a long history of being mistreated in the United States, starting with slavery. After physical activity, children with or without ADHD appear to perform better at attention, memory, and mood. In the Article by Lisa Lewis, it also talks about how delaying school by 1 hour produces the same benefit as shrinking class size by one-third or replacing a teacher in the 50th percentile of effectiveness with one in the 84th percentile.(Lewis). Most school districts are sticking to the 5-day schedule. So much so, many new teachers end up leaving the field within their first three years. A poll where 2,700 random people were polled about 67% favoured a 4 day school week(university of Scranton). Shorter School Days Are the Way. Revisiting Using Edtech for Bullying and Suicide Prevention. STP every day allows students to do their schoolwork, resulting in reduced overall stress. Schools would also have to change their bus transportation systems which are designed to run as efficiently and inexpensively as possible. New Haven teachers in an unprecedented move allowed their teacher unions to take over the rewriting of their contracts. Spread the loveAre you looking for strategies to help students who cannot fasten their own clothes? The Pros of Longer School Days More Time for Instruction The number one reason for lengthening the school day is to provide teachers with more time for instruction. Because of this, school districts dont have a hard The benefits of going to a 4-day week for schooling is that it offers teachers and students an additional day for rest every week. 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. Longer school days may lead to attention deficit and fatigue, making the extra class time ineffective. Their child is at home while they are at work, which is problematic for parents of younger children. The longer school days of a 4-day week make it almost impossible for teens to find a job after school. But recently, there has been a move towards shorter weeks across the United States. Very Costly. Because the four-day school week has only been around for a decade or so, we simply dont have enough time, data, or research to make a definitive declaration. The schedule change also shifted how teachers assigned homework, making it more efficient and focused. The Pros and Cons of a 4-Day Week for Employers & Employees It also means that students face more daily seat time, in exchange for a 3-day weekend which may not materialize with their after-school commitments. The evaluated skills include science, math, and reading. This would help not only our school but also the parents if they cant afford the gas. NOTE : The information on this website is for general information purposes only. The University of New Mexico Newsroom: Research Study Yields Unexpected Conclusion About Longer School Years. The average time for school that is scheduled in a 4-day week is either 7:30am-5pm or 8am-5:30pm. Just 11 of the districts had enrollments of more than 1,000 students. 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. 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! When the new school day was implemented, the system was relieved of the need to cram math, reading, and science into a short period of time, allowing for more time to be spent on subjects that students enjoy and teachers enjoy. As a result, students dont have to miss school to help out. The National School Board Association estimates that approximately 135,000 guns are brought to America's 85,000 public schools each day. 2. It may reduce the number of discipline referrals for students. Students in a 4-day school week are packing 180 days into a condensed 145-day schedule. 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. Compacting school into just four days a week leaves more time for kids to spend with family, friends and outside interests. Find out about families that swap a shorter summer break for learning time that's more continuous. 3. Some schools even require students to have the belt line exposed at all times for fear of guns concealed under clothing. Extending the school year may help make teaching a full-time, more lucrative profession for educators if year-round schools can cut costs through . With short school days, students can devote a fair share of time to other meaningful areas in their life, such as socializing and simply being a kid. School Days Should Be Shorter: Persuasive Essay teams may need to practice, professional development sessions may convene, etc. Dr. Meier is is a regular contributor for The Equity Network and has worked in education for more than 30 years. Better sleep: Delayed start time could help teens sleep during . Other Debates. A local news reporter says thevve also saved substitute teacher costs because teachers don't have to take a day off for appointments (Chiaramonte 2 ). Kids that go to schools with the 4-day week are often happier, stay happy throughout the school year, and look forward to going to school each day. Older students can spend time engaging in resum-building public service or paid work. Why a four-day school week is bad? - TeachersCollegesj 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. (Lewis) In Bonneville, Idaho the school started later in the day which resulted in absences dropping 15%. Despite the fact that a few studies have recently been published, there is no significant research on the four-day school week. There is a variety of emotional and behavioral problems, depression, alcohol use, and impaired cognitive function that can contribute to this. 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. Pros of the 4-day School Week. Year-round schooling has been proposed as a better option for students than a traditional 9-month schedule. The most popular is a 32-hour work week, which means people work 8 hours per day, 4 hours in a week. Financial problems is was most of a four day school week is about. Teachers can use more time in the day to go on field trips or expand content areas. The Peach County School District in Georgia saw that their graduation rates slowly increased year after year when they switched to a 4-day school week. School districts save money. Should We Have Shorter School Days? - The BlackWell Firm manageable in a myriad of ways. (Solution). Younger people shouldn't have to work as long as some adults do. According to new research, the four-day week is a popular way for parents and students to spend quality time together. 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. What Are Reasons to Have Shorter School Days? - Reference If so, keep reading. List of Cons of Implementing 4-Day School Weeks 1. The pros and cons of longer days and shorter breaks - SecEd Shorter school days should be used in the United States education system since they have several advantages. Some districts take just one week off at Christmas instead of two weeks because of these conflicts. A potential decline in academic performance for vulnerable groups. Overall, a shorter school schedule resulted in a 7% increase in math scores and a 3% gain in reading. The Chattooga County School District in Georgia shifted to a 4-day school week. Do students learn better in shorter classes? Longer school days may have some positive impact on student achievement, but research on their effects is lacking. For the Cove School District in Eastern Oregon, the school day begins at 8am and doesnt end until 4pm. It also means that certain holiday vacations, such as Thanksgiving, are extended to a full week, and that can be a scheduling concern for many families. Changing the Moniteau County R-1 School districts schedule to a four-day week would be detrimental to students safety and involvement in activities. This provided the teacher with more freedom with curriculum and time management. Students that sit in lecture classrooms retain 10% or less of the information that is presented to them. The ability to express oneself via electives can make children happier and more cooperative in the classroom. The basic assumption of a 4 day work week is fulfilling the duties in a shorter amount of time, instead of the usual five-day workweek and receiving the same pay. It is possible to have a negative impact on some laboratory classes by reducing the number of minutes in class each day. It is critical to avoid producing a longer school day and instead produce a healthier, more balanced, and more engaging one. Pro: In 2004, the school day was lengthened for a Massachusetts school to address the issue of underperforming students. The four-day arrangement gives opportunity for students to work an extra day at an after-school job, participate in volunteer activities, or pursue further educational goals by taking advantage of the extra day. One is that it would likely mean that teachers would have to teach more classes, which could lead to burnout. By shifting to a 4-day schedule, it becomes easier to transport students to all after-school events and activities because there is an extra day available to plan activities without running into mandatory school times. They may also experience irritability and fatigue. 10 Noteworthy Benefits of a Shorter School Day - Tenney School The pros and cons of a 4-day school week offer many challenges. Other pros and cons exist in the school lunch debate. How does it impact your success? . The disadvantage is that more time does not equate to more learning. Accidents, absences, and absences all fall on the decline, and students academic performance rises. Another potential drawback is that shorter school days could lead to more after-school activities, which could be a problem for working parents. 3. Class runs Monday- Thursday with an added 40-60 minutes each day to compensate for the lost time by not having the schools run on Fridays. Administrative staff are required to be on-site, sports If so, keep reading. Easier to recruit employees. The ability to offer a 3-day weekend, every weekend, is a powerful motivator for school districts that are recruiting for quality employees. During class time, young kids who are too exhausted to concentrate or perform well may experience tiredness or fall asleep. Suffolk Public Schools went with a 7:25 am start time for their district and are saving almost $700,000 per year. 10 Longer School Days Pros and Cons - Vittana.org Cons of the 4-Day School Week. The driving force behind the proposal to lengthen the school day is the assertion that more instructional time would yield greater academic gains. Cutting that by 20% means a savings of $4 billion, if implemented nationwide. Lets face it our best school memories arent from tests or pop quizzes. A 4-day school week is misleading. But the extra money hasn't gone into teachers' salaries, which have dropped on average from . The benefits are many. They can explore and discover various hobbies and interests, maintain their stress levels and get more sleep. One school said that they have saved a teacher in diesel fuel costs (chiaramonte 2 ). In 1095or in 1905, depending on your sourcesRoberto Nevelis of Venice, Italy, is often credited with inventing the concept of homework. (Question). That additional day can also be used for staff development time instead of taking away a school day to do so. The idea has been to cut hours while keeping pay the same. When a school opts to go with an early start time, then students are spending less time sitting in traffic as they head to class. The Melstone School District in Montana also shifted to a 4-day school week. You should approach these strategies with your childs teacher instead of punishing him or her. You wont have to run the electricity or pay for buses. Shorter School Days Are the Way - The Oarsman Shorter School Day Hurts Teachers, Students - Manhattan Institute 2. Student performance may improve with a 4-day school week. When busing and after-school activities are included in that timeframe as well, some older students may find themselves putting in 12-hour days at school every day. They dont usually run wild on the last day of school, instead working, making phone calls, or spending time with family. Many school districts still operate Monday-Friday, even on a 4-day week. Schools may even have to purchase lights for after school activities. Anticipated savings are in transportation, food and food service workers, hourly workers and utilities. Which one is the best? over 1 million dollars on utilities, busing, and labor costs. The list just gets longer. As a result, learning is less effective due to budget constraints. Underperforming schools and the lagging performance of U.S. students in comparison to other countries is a concern. 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. On top of that, you will likely only be taking 1-2 classes at a time instead of four or more. 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. Pros And Cons Of A Four-Day School Week - The Odyssey Online Examining the pros and cons of year-round school gives insight into why some education leaders push for its adoption while others argue for sticking to the traditional 10-month schedule.