flexibility to teachers schedules and as a result, makes their jobs more Does precision really make a program successful? 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. The disadvantage is that more time does not equate to more learning. There are a few potential drawbacks to shorter school days. In the United States, the average school day is around six and a half hours long. When students are too tired or mentally exhausted to concentrate at the end of the day, the last hour becomes meaningless. Some schools even require students to have the belt line exposed at all times for fear of guns concealed under clothing. The school day is too long. There are several major pros and cons of a 4-day school week which must be considered by school districts looking to make this kind of change. Changing the system could result in many more. One of the primary reasons why school districts, especially rural districts, save money when they shift to a 4-day schedule is because there are fewer transportation costs. Also, since special populations fare poorly in this configuration, the costs of . The current school schedule is a major downgrade from the 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM distance learning schedule. 6-7. Traditional vs. Although the final outcome was beneficial the origins of the extended day was not welcomed. Rural school districts and small school districts benefit the most from a 4-day schedule because of their natural isolation. 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. 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 ). Approximately 1,800 schools in the U.S. have extended learning hours, but there are many pros and cons of extended school days. Con: A lengthened school day may impede upon extracurricular activities, especially in secondary education. Cutting that by 20% means a savings of $4 billion, if implemented nationwide. But just because the final bell rang doesnt mean that youre done. In Alabama, the school year lasts 180 days and the school day lasts 7.03 hours. It was a kneejerk response to dwindling education budgets and the belief that schools could save a ton of money by operating Monday through Thursday, which in theory would lower their operating expenses. They just dont have time to get everything done. 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. By having more instruction in class, students can not only get better test scores, but they can also get better grades. If so, keep reading. The school also doesn't have to pay anyone that is on an hourly schedule. Spread the loveAre you looking for ways to teach students appropriate mealtime manners? This would help not only our school but also the parents if they cant afford the gas. Parents can drop-off their kids in the morning, then pick them up in the afternoon, without worrying about work. Over the course of a 2-year period on this alternative schedule, they reported up to a 20% increase in student attendance. Massachusetts, a pioneer in extended learning time (ELT), has made significant progress in this field. As a result, kids will be less worried about time management and will be less likely to fall behind on such rewarding activities. Students in the third through sixth grades have improved their ACT scores, according to studies. It was suggested that a combination of four-week summer holidays and a school day finishing at 4:30pm would lead to improvements in pupil attainment. Increasing the length of school days may result in attention deficit and exhaustion, making the additional class time inefficient. The very thought of sending kids to school year-round makes some parents cringe. If young kids are too weary to concentrate or perform well in class, they may experience weariness or fall asleep during class time. You are more likely to face poverty: those who drop out of school without any plans, stare at poverty in the face without the option of getting out of it. But recently, there has been a move towards shorter weeks across the United States. Your email address will not be published. 4. That may mean reducing Spring Break to 2 days instead of having the entire week off. We can all agree that school feels like it lasts forever. Some research indicates there may be slight academic benefits to extending the school day. The Massachusetts Expanded Learning Time Initiative has already benefited 19 schools and over 10,000 students. 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? 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. It also means that they would have more time to mark the voluminous quantity of homework that they have to complete every night. According to The Notebook, longer school days add to low energy and exhaustion. Many say that the four day school week is good for students. There have been several studies that reported the 4-day school week had positive effects on student's math and reading scores. Adds flexibility to teacher's schedules. Why weekends should be longer for students? However, these basics vary, depending on a company's policy. From the moment you walk into the second you walk out. The pros and cons of a 4-day school week offer many challenges. 4. Spread the loveBeing a teacher is a tough job. Arlene Ackerman says she and her students don't have the strength to teach or learn near the end of the school day. 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. 6. That means the average cost, per student, is about $700. Most students, especially younger ones, find that the traditional school schedule is already too long. This can be due to a lack of accessible facilities and resources, or negative attitudes and misconceptions from teachers and classmates. Should school hours be shorter? 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. Small group learning with discussion, for example, increases the information retention rate for students up to 80%. Out of a budget of $5.5 million, they saved $206,000. It lists the advantages of the four-day model as: Improved morale and fewer absences: A shorter working week leads to less burnout, making staff happier and more focused in . Data is an important variable if youre considering the longer school days pros and cons list. Anticipated savings are in transportation, food and food service workers, hourly workers and utilities. What are the pros and cons of longer school days? One is that it would likely mean that teachers would have to teach more classes, which could lead to burnout. Why shorter school days are better for teachers? You wont have to run the electricity or pay for buses. (Lewis) In Bonneville, Idaho the school started later in the day which resulted in absences dropping 15%. Better sleep: Delayed start time could help teens sleep during . That is because larger districts offer more activities, manage more student events, and operate essentially 7 days per week during the school year anyway. This issue occurs at all grade levels. In general, ELT has received positive feedback; however, some schools have had more difficult transitions than others. To be competitive in a global market, students need to be exposed to a wide variety of subject matter. Spread the loveThis term refers to the grouping of students by mental capability, aptitude, or hobbies. Then ask the superintendent of the school district to consider year round school with only four days per week.First, students would not forget what they learned over the long summer. Other pros and cons exist in the school lunch debate. More teaching: Covid-19 has resulted in a lot of disruption in teaching. The pros and cons of a 4-day school week offer many challenges. That also means some families, with children who are old enough, can eliminate daycare expenses completely with this type of scheduling option. Better Employee Engagement A 4 day week can lead to happier and more committed employees. According to author accounts, teachers and students suffer as a result of recess being taken away as a punishment for behavior. It is a program for mostly rural and small school districts. It can also be difficult to monitor, as students may be able to find ways to sneak in a recess break even when they are supposed to be punished. 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). Such as emotional and behavioral problems, violence, depression, alcohol use, impaired cognitive function, etc. The districts on the 4-day school week are finding it easier to recruit for the staff they need because they offer the prospect of a 3-day weekend during the school year. Many recommend that teens get at least eight hours of sleep to feel well rested and . The driving force behind the proposal to lengthen the school day is the assertion that more instructional time would yield greater academic gains. In Colorado, 31 of the states 176 school districts are currently using a 4-day school week. After-school activities begin at that point, which means some students dont make it back home until 8pm that night. Teachers report Extending the school day is a hot topic for educational policy making bodies. Finally, some parents worry that shorter days could mean that their children would have less time to participate in extracurricular activities. Spread the loveAre you looking for strategies to help students who cannot fasten their own clothes? One is that it would likely mean that teachers would have to teach more classes, which could lead to burnout. Pros and Cons of a Shorter Workweek. We must ensure that every child has the opportunity to learn by improving the effectiveness of our schools and ensuring that all children have access to them. In the standard 5-day school week, sports practices occur after school. It is possible to have a negative impact on some laboratory classes by reducing the number of minutes in class each day. 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. Changing the times could increase attendance by 1%, which could bring in $40 million more. Some schools do not allow recess to be used as punishment, while others may do so on a case-by-case basis. The Students feel less pressure because they have more time to study at their own pace at home, especially in the later grades. Despite the fact that a few studies have recently been published, there is no significant research on the four-day school week. 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. Long summers are known to cause "summer slide," or the decline of academic skills and knowledge over the course of the extended vacation. Extending the school year may help make teaching a full-time, more lucrative profession for educators if year-round schools can cut costs through . On the plus side, employees love it. 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. There are various school days in the United States. The final class ends 1-2 hours before the work day ends for most parents. Our individualized learning setup at the Tenney School allows us to offer more instruction in a shorter amount of time. In many US school districts, the first class begins 1-2 hours after most parents need to be at work. Cons of a Longer School Day Does Not Ensure Higher Achievement 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. It may improve overall student attendance. Overall, there are pros and cons to shorter school days. Your typical school week: Monday-Friday with the hours sometime between 7 am- 4 pm. Schools would also have to change their bus transportation systems which are designed to run as efficiently and inexpensively as possible. 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. Teachers will have more leisure time to spend with their family as a result of the reduced school days. A longer school day would involve substantial funding for teacher salaries and facility maintenance. Additional costs savings from a shorter day include less . They can supervise their children at the bus stop in rural districts as well. 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. 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. All of these consequences just because nobody wants to shorten the school day. 3. A poll where 2,700 random people were polled about 67% favoured a 4 day school week(university of Scranton). Many school districts keep their administrative staff on school grounds all week long, though some allow half to take a Monday off, while the other half takes Friday off. Research has shown that in this configuration, students who are low-income, minority, or special needs dont fare too well academically. This leads to added costs that some families, living paycheck to paycheck, may not be able to afford. Disadvantage: Less time for extracurricular activities. The Advantages and Disadvantages of Extended School Days. They may also experience irritability and fatigue. 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. 3. List of the Major Cons of a 4-Day School Week 1. Here are some additional key points to think about when looking at the pros and cons of a 4-day school week. Spread the loveOne of the questions that I am frequently asked is, what does a good teacher look like? It requires longer school days. That means the students in those districts have better opportunities to learn. When properly implemented, extended learning time programs have the potential to increase students academic progress as well as their social and emotional development. Another is that shorter days could lead to shorter attention spans in classrooms. Spread the loveApplying for admission to professional and graduate schools is no less competitive than college/undergraduate admissions. The major pros and cons of a 4-day school week suggest that it can save money for districts, which means taxpayers benefit. 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. 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. Older students can spend time engaging in resum-building public service or paid work. Administrative staff are required to be on-site, sports . The schedule forces teachers to spend small blocks of time on specific topics without really being able to dig into in-depth issues. districts think they will save tons of money by cutting operational costs on Overall, a shorter school schedule resulted in a 7% increase in math scores and a 3% gain in reading. 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. The evaluated skills include science, math, and reading. Many schools are, in fact, offering year-round services now to accommodate the changing needs of their communities. 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 and Cons of the Four-Day Week Proponents of four-day school weeks say that even though cost savings are minimal, they are achieved. If the schools made 40 minute periods, the students could learn just as much as they would in a 50 minute period.One of the biggest benefits of this system is the financial savings. As a result, learning is less effective due to budget constraints. Students with less sleep have difficulty paying attention in class and are likely to have lower grades. That also makes scheduling problematic for many families. As with any innovation, shorter workweeks have advantages and disadvantages. In the 4-day school week 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. 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. Some of the pros of year-round schooling include: 1 . 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. For some, a 4-day week makes perfect sense. Kids already spend a very long time each week in the school and away from their family. Moving to the 4-day schedule shifts student movement patterns, reducing the number of lost transition minutes. 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. This extra hour can make the day pretty long especially for younger students, which can often lead to a loss of focus later in the day. Their child is at home while they are at work, which is problematic for parents of younger children. Finally, shorter school days could result in less time for extracurricular activities, which could have a negative impact on student morale. That additional day can also be used for staff development time instead of taking away a school day to do so. The Chattooga County School District reported similar results from their trial with this schedule as well. Other schools are worried about academic performance. Other Debates. Pro: An extended school day provides more flexibility for parents, eliminating the need for after-school care. In YRE, the number of days in school equals the number of days in a calendar year (180 days). The article Should School Stay Earlier? About 20% of the states school districts incorporate a 4-day schedule of some kind. The Oakridge School District in Oregon reported that their test scores improved when they shifted to this alternative schedule as well. Rural school districts find the greatest benefit in this area. There are improvements in the school financially. Delaying school start times is associated with a decrease in bedtimes and an increase in sleep for every minute the school day is delayed. The average length of the K-12 school day is 8:30 to 3:00, engaging U.S. students in school for 6.64 hours a day over the span of 180 school days. They found out that seven school districts saved money under the new 1. On top of that, you will likely only be taking 1-2 classes at a time instead of four or more. There are many financial benefits from a 4 day school week.With only 4 days in a week, that is one less day theschool has to pay for lunches . 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. The only question is does it hurt students education but the statistics are showing that is clearly not the case one bit. So it is illogical to think that a four day week will help other grade levels. However, disabled students often face additional challenges in accessing education and achieving academic success. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, students are less active when they are not allowed to recess during the school day due to bad classroom behavior. 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. Dr. Kelly Meier earned her doctorate from Minnesota State Mankato in Educational Leadership. Students usually go to school about 6 hours each day in most districts. 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. Some districts take just one week off at Christmas instead of two weeks because of these conflicts. A three-day weekend allows for extra leisure time, as well as a reduction in commute and energy usage. Sara Blackwell teaches Employment Law at University of South Florida in Tampa and she is a published author. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. Underperforming schools and the lagging performance of U.S. students in comparison to other countries is a concern. The Chattooga County School District in Georgia shifted to a 4-day school week. It may reduce the number of discipline referrals for students. 2. Advantage: More time to devote to learning. If so, keep reading. Shorter days can only be seen as a positive thing and would benefit students, teacher, and administrators. In general, taking away recess as punishment may be seen as unfair or too harsh, especially for young children. "I get really tired throughout the day and I would love shorter school hours." Spread the loveFor the past few decades, our countrys educational system has seen both struggle and tremendous change. Year round schools, can actually benefit students in the long run. Programs like student tutoring or sports, teacher/parent meetings, staff development, and building maintenance still happen on the fifth day, which negates many of the cost-savings opportunities that the 4-day schedule appears to offer. The list just gets longer. I believe that if we go to a four day school week that it would help the kids physically, mentally, and financially. 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. There is no one answer to this question as every disabled students experience is unique. Pros. When Friday rolls around each week during the school year, many parents face the same situation. The pros of year-round school Eliminating any sort of long break from school can improve a child's academic achievement. Spread the loveBuilding a culturally responsive classroom is hard. Those human beings that seem larger than life and almost achieve Godlike status. Ages. When teachers operate under time constraints, in high-pressure situations, then they typically default to a lecture-based teaching style. It is important to consider all of the factors before making a decision. But you see with shorter school days youd have more spare time to complete school work. In 2009, there were 3,000 schools in the United States operating on a year-round basis. It's almost the end of the first semester, and realizations are starting to set in. Decreased need to re-teach skills after long vacations, allowing teachers to use classroom time more efficiently. A change in schedule is an adjustment for school officials, students and families. The decision to implement such a schedule must therefore be handled at the local level. Students who attend year-round school have the same number of school days as their counterparts following a traditional schedule. 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. What's the Difference Between Burnout and Demoralization, and What Can Teachers Do About It? Cons: The obvious reason for not shortening school days is the lack of learning time. 1. 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. There are potential reductions in the financial costs of running a school district. The four-day week, according to the research, is far more cost-effective than the traditional five-day week. schedule, the district adds 40 or so minutes to make up for the time lost on Do students learn better in shorter classes? It changes the holiday schedules for the school district. If school doesnt get out until 4pm, then the student makes it home at 5pm. Very Costly. ", 21 Payday Loan Industry Statistics, Trends & Analysis, 100 Best Side Hustles for Teens to Make Money, 10 Proven Psychological Pricing Strategies with Examples, 100 Office Etiquette Rules You Need to Know, 50 Best Business Letter Closings of All-Time. Students that sit in lecture classrooms retain 10% or less of the information that is presented to them. Accidents, absences, and absences all fall on the decline, and students academic performance rises. Students can adjust to the new schedule. The Advantages and Disadvantages of Extended School Days Advantage: More time to devote to learning. 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. (5) Most costs that were reduced were Operations and maintenance, heating and cooling, janitor supplies. Next, parents would not have to get day care except on Fridays instead of the whole summer. The four-day school is a phenomenon that has been sweeping across the U.S. The Cons of Longer School Days. Another is that shorter days could lead to shorter attention spans in classrooms. This is one reason school districts use to implement dress codes. Instead, an investment should be made in improving teaching strategies and new technology that could transform the learning process. The average time for school that is scheduled in a 4-day week is either 7:30am-5pm or 8am-5:30pm. It can help teachers and students better manage the process of learning. Most school districts are sticking to the 5-day schedule. Pros and cons of shorter work weeks.

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