pros and cons of shorter school days

The Agrarian calendar is rooted in the past. Too Early to Tell There are many changes with switching the school days. There is no one answer to this question as every disabled students experience is unique. Most parents work a 5-day schedule and struggle to adapt to a 4-day school schedule. 2. That means one of the biggest expenses for the district is immediately cut by 20%. 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. Schools are able to switch to a four-day week by simply increasing the length of their school day. Another is that shorter days could lead to shorter attention spans in classrooms. According to The Notebook, longer school days add to low energy and exhaustion. 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. A potential decline in academic performance for vulnerable groups. the fifth day, but they forget, they will still be open and running activities After physical activity, children with or without ADHD appear to perform better at attention, memory, and mood. Administrative staff are required to be on-site, sports Some of the pros of year-round schooling include: 1 . The school districts may operate classes Monday-Thursday on a 4-day week (or Tuesday-Friday in some instances), but they are still operational from an administrative standpoint on the off-day. The Chattooga County School District reported similar results from their trial with this schedule as well. So it is illogical to think that a four day week will help other grade levels. Third, shorter days could reduce the amount of time that students spend on the bus or in the car, which would save money and reduce pollution. The school days are spread more evenly over the year, with more frequent short breaks and the absence of a 10-12 week summer break. So what are the pros and cons of 4-day school weeks? Students will have extra time outside of school to devote to other essential elements of their life as a result of this change. Students in a 4-day school week are packing 180 days into a condensed 145-day schedule. It may eliminate common holidays, such as Memorial Day or Labor Day, from the schedule. I say this because we would have to start. Spread the loveFor the past few decades, our countrys educational system has seen both struggle and tremendous change. The disadvantage is that more time does not equate to more learning. When properly implemented, extended learning time programs have the potential to increase students academic progress as well as their social and emotional development. They saved 1.4%, or $45,000, instead. Keeping schools open five days a week is not financially feasible. Certain activities or games should be prohibited (for an indefinite period of time). What are the pros and cons for students, teachers and school boards? Teachers are frequently overworked and required to perform tasks that are outside their job description. Over the last century, humans have acquired a staggering amount of knowledge and understanding. Spread the loveAre you looking for strategies to teach students appropriate mealtime manners? 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. Cons of the 4-Day School Week. Also, since special populations fare poorly in this configuration, the costs of In general, taking away recess as punishment may be seen as unfair or too harsh, especially for young children. In order to squeeze the regular five-day workload into four days, it would necessitate the closure of vital services on that additional day and the lengthening of working days on the other days. 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. Small group learning with discussion, for example, increases the information retention rate for students up to 80%. 2. The schools who did switch the expenses reduced by 20%, transportation would reduce also by 20%, and the average district could have saving of 5.43% total budget. 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. The longer school days of a 4-day week make it almost impossible for teens to find a job after school. This can be due to a lack of accessible facilities and resources, or negative attitudes and misconceptions from teachers and classmates. On top of that, you will likely only be taking 1-2 classes at a time instead of four or more. on those days off. She studies hard, does her research and assignments, and goes to class every single day. Well, at least initially. The pros of year-round school Eliminating any sort of long break from school can improve a child's academic achievement. Finally, teachers and students would have better relationships as they spend more time together instead of being rushed. Pros. You wont have to run the electricity or pay for buses. Staff recruitment is easier with the 4-day school week for school districts. When teachers operate under time constraints, in high-pressure situations, then they typically default to a lecture-based teaching style. Getting to school on-time or making it out for the bus is a constant battle. 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. Delaying school start times is associated with a decrease in bedtimes and an increase in sleep for every minute the school day is delayed. schedule, the district adds 40 or so minutes to make up for the time lost on Pro: In 2004, the school day was lengthened for a Massachusetts school to address the issue of underperforming students. That means half of parents will enjoy the alternative school schedule and half will hate it. Potential for juvenile crime to increase. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. Shorter class durations allow students to enroll in a variety of courses. They found out that seven school districts saved money under the new In return, the number of disciplinary measures can also be reduced. They do have a full day free for a job in some instances, but trying to find work on the weekends only, especially in a rural community, is never a guarantee unless you dont mind working on a farm, that is. There are potential reductions in the financial costs of running a school district. manageable in a myriad of ways. Other Debates. Some school districts have reported saving Research has shown that in this configuration, students who are low-income, minority, or special needs dont fare too well academically. You have a lifespan that is nine years less than people who graduate: Statistically, you may have a shorter lifespan than people who have gone to school and have been empowered. Spread the loveAre you looking for ways to teach students appropriate mealtime manners? 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. More than 80% of people in the UK would prefer a four day working week, according to a survey in 2021 by recruitment company Reed. 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 most popular is a 32-hour work week, which means people work 8 hours per day, 4 hours in a week. NOTE : The information on this website is for general information purposes only. districts think they will save tons of money by cutting operational costs on In the United States, about 50% of all companies are either offering or thinking about offering a 4-day workweek for their workers. Spread the loveTo be twice-exceptional is to be exceptionally gifted in some academic aspects while being below average compared to peers in other aspects. In 1095or in 1905, depending on your sourcesRoberto Nevelis of Venice, Italy, is often credited with inventing the concept of homework. At the same time, teacher attendance rates also rose, which is a trend still seen in these districts, 20+ years later. Spread the loveTeachers need to realize that at home, in their neighborhoods, and in school, many students face difficulties that can interfere with learning. While some research has shown that increasing the amount of time spent in class can boost student accomplishment, these findings have been influenced by factors such as the classroom atmosphere, the quality of instruction, and students prior knowledge and abilities. . By switching to a 4-day school week, the number of transitions can be reduced because more time can be spent on each subject. 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. over 1 million dollars on utilities, busing, and labor costs. Employment opportunities with a 3-day weekend are increasing. We were able to build a strong community and school consensus as a result of our programs success. Students follow the same type of pattern. A switch to a 4-day schedule gives teachers more time to use teaching styles that are more effective. 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. According to the majority of the researchers, the inconclusive results do not imply that decisions to change schedules should be made based on test scores. That additional day can also be used for staff development time instead of taking away a school day to do so. The 4-day schedule eliminates one full driving day for the transportation department. Other concerns with early school start times and the resulting insufficient sleep include: Increased likelihood for participating in risk-taking behaviors, such as bullying and fighting. Students usually go to school about 6 hours each day in most districts. The disadvantage is that more time does not equate to more learning. Most students, especially younger ones, find that the traditional school schedule is already too long. Schools may even have to purchase lights for after school activities. Overall, a shorter school schedule resulted in a 7% increase in math scores and a 3% gain in reading. 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. The school also doesn't have to pay anyone that is on an hourly schedule. Next, parents would not have to get day care except on Fridays instead of the whole summer. Year round schools, can actually benefit students in the long run. In the United States, the average school day is around six and a half hours long. Increases student attendance. If you are arrested for spanking your child, you may face charges of assault, battery, child abuse, or domestic violence. Some districts take just one week off at Christmas instead of two weeks because of these conflicts. school schedules from 5 to 4 days. 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. 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? Even the cost savings of a total shift to a 4-day schedule may be minimal. The Advantages and Disadvantages of Extended School Days Advantage: More time to devote to learning. Year-round schooling has been proposed as a better option for students than a traditional 9-month schedule. Teacher time will be increased when the school day is extended, allowing them to spend more time with pupils and to concentrate on problem areas and more challenging content. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship. time attracting qualified applicants. The pros and cons of a 4-day school week offer many challenges. For the parents of younger students, an additional full day of daycare may need to be scheduled every week instead of a partial day. It might help school districts save money. The ability to express oneself via electives can make children happier and more cooperative in the classroom. 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. In this article, we will examine this question in depth. One of the biggest concerns of a 4-day school week is the length of seat time that younger students must complete. But the extra money hasn't gone into teachers' salaries, which have dropped on average from . 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! Financial problems is was most of a four day school week is about. Most school districts are sticking to the 5-day schedule. The Pros and Cons of Year-Round Schools. This would help not only our school but also the parents if they cant afford the gas. disabled students may also find it difficult to participate in extracurricular activities and socialise with their peers. 4. The benefits are many. Teachers would be required to reimagine their curriculum and would need extra time to develop a curriculum to fit an expanded day. The school day was originally created to meet the needs of farmers. Spread the loveThe Talent Search Initiative has as its aim; the identification of high-performing students by organizing specific tests. Public school everything for schoolchildren and students. Some schools do not allow recess to be used as punishment, while others may do so on a case-by-case basis. Which one is the best? 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This added It is also good for teachers and the whole school. But recently, there has been a move towards shorter weeks across the United States. The Chattooga County School District in Georgia shifted to a 4-day school week. In 2009, there were 3,000 schools in the United States operating on a year-round basis. The Advantages and Disadvantages of Extended School Days Advantage: More time to devote to learning. Shifting to this schedule does have certain disadvantages, especially for working parents. For school districts following the 4-day school week, the Thanksgiving holiday usually receives a full week off instead of the final two days of the week. Dr. Kelly Meier earned her doctorate from Minnesota State Mankato in Educational Leadership. Spread the loveEducation is a collaborative process, as it takes many stakeholders working in unison to help students succeed academically. He goes on to say that in order to realize that level of savings, schools must severely limit transportation for activities or programs not conducted on regular school days. First, it would give students more time to focus on their homework and studies outside of school. When larger school districts attempt this kind of schedule, they find few, if any, benefits coming from their actions. The idea has been to cut hours while keeping pay the same. 1. Students are tired and cranky by the end of the day. 3. There are numerous advantages and disadvantages to each. Lets face it our best school memories arent from tests or pop quizzes. Longer school days may lead to attention deficit and fatigue, making the extra class time ineffective. Such as emotional and behavioral problems, violence, depression, alcohol use, impaired cognitive function, etc. Budgetary requirements are an important part of a longer school days pros and cons list. The school day is too long. Their child is at home while they are at work, which is problematic for parents of younger children. How would it sound if school weeks were only four days long and, in doing that, it saved your school money at the same time? Teacher time will be increased when the school day is extended, allowing them to spend more time with pupils and to concentrate on problem areas and more challenging content. Does precision really make a program successful? Though some people say that four days in a school week will help students in certain classes especially in math, this test only worked on 4th and 5th graders. flexibility to teachers schedules and as a result, makes their jobs more Schools would also have to change their bus transportation systems which are designed to run as efficiently and inexpensively as possible. If so, keep reading. It is possible to have a negative impact on some laboratory classes by reducing the number of minutes in class each day. Another potential drawback is that shorter school days could lead to more after-school activities, which could be a problem for working parents. 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. Rural families experience the greatest impacts from the 4-day school week. recess is not only ineffective but also harmful to students who may feel that the punishment is excessive. 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. Extending the school days even longer would further cut into valuable time to bond with family. not just on the weekdays when students were out of school. Other pros and cons exist in the school lunch debate. Copyright (c) 2023 Matthew Lynch. With the long break of summer, many people prefer the short breaks of year round schools. After 12 hours of being away from home, students struggle to find time to study during the 4-day school week. the traditional 5th day. It is encouraged for students to try new things in order to benefit from them. Some districts have seen their disciplinary issues decline by more than 70% in the first two years of implementing a 4-day schedule. 3. When it comes to school, we most likely understand what its like to go to school all year. In the United States, $17.5 billion each year is spent on school bus transportation. But others are worried about when kids should be in school. Spread the loveWe all have our heroes. By having more instruction in class, students can not only get better test scores, but they can also get better grades. When looking at the benefits of a longer school year, the opportunity for expanding subject matter and the individualized needs of students are factors. In Lexington, Oregon, Morrow County was able to save about $250,000 their first year, but out of a budget of $14 million. Better sleep: Delayed start time could help teens sleep during . The. There are a few reasons why shorter school days could be beneficial. The requirements for total education time do not change just because a school district goes to a 4-day school week. They question the value of a continuous . Teachers will have more leisure time to spend with their family as a result of the reduced school days. But slowly over the nation, schools are switching to a four day school week. Increases student attendance. For some, a 4-day week makes perfect sense. They can supervise their children at the bus stop in rural districts as well. Students that sit in lecture classrooms retain 10% or less of the information that is presented to them. Finally, some parents worry that shorter days could mean that their children would have less time to participate in extracurricular activities. 4 Day School Week Pros and Cons. Well, for some rural schools across the nation, this has become a reality. There is no one answer to this question as it can depend on individual circumstances. 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.

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