Many schools are, in fact, offering year-round services now to accommodate the changing needs of their communities. 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. 6 Ways to Implement a Real Multicultural Education in the Classroom, Understanding Letter Recognition and Its Role in Preliteracy, The Advantages and Limitations of Homeschooling, 7 Ways Technology Is Impacting Modern Education, How Dumbed Down Education Is Creating a National Security Crisis, 21 Inspirational Quotes That Nelson Mandela Made About Education, The Edvocate Podcast, Episode 7: How Digital Age Teachers Can Win Over Parents, The Edvocate Podcast, Episode 6: 8 Ways That Digital Age Teachers Avoid Burning Out, The Edvocate Podcast, Episode 5: The Archetype of a Great Teacher, PISA (The Program for International Student Assessment): Everything You Need to Know, How International Baccalaureate (IB) Programs Work, Globalization: Everything You Need to Know, So You Want to Attend Graduate School: The 411 on Grad School Admissions Tests, 20 Ways to Teach Kids to Take Care of Their Personal Property, 13 Ways to Teach Students Appropriate Mealtime Manners, 20 Strategies to Encourage Students to Take Care of their Personal Property, 14 Strategies to Teach Students Appropriate Mealtime Manners, 22 Strategies to Help Students Who Cannot Fasten Their Own Clothes, Homogeneous Grouping: What You Need to Know, Merit Scholarships: Everything Your Need to Know, The Importance of Mentoring Young African-American Males, 7 Ways That Black Students are Discriminated Against in U.S K-12 Schools, The Edvocate Podcast, Episode 4: How to Create a Culturally Responsive Classroom, 6 Steps to Data-Driven Literacy Instruction, Four Keys to a Modern IT Approach in K-12 Schools. In addition, they are given a week off for major holidays and 2 weeks of summer vacation at their parents discretion. What Are the Pros of a Longer School Day? Pro: In 2004, the school day was lengthened for a Massachusetts school to address the issue of underperforming students. 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. Why shorter school days are better for teachers? In the United States, the average school day is around six and a half hours long. The idea of having a four-day school has been around for several decades, and has been considered at least since the 1930s, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. 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. 4 Day School Week Pros and Cons. Well, at least initially. To be competitive in a global market, students need to be exposed to a wide variety of subject matter. 1. Schools are facing many issues today. According to new research, the four-day week is a popular way for parents and students to spend quality time together. There can be no one answer to this question because it is a matter of case by case. The trade-off for a shorter week is a longer school day. They need a shorter school day so they can have more time to relax and play. Many of these districts are small and rural, such as Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Wyoming. All rights reserved. For the parents of younger students, an additional full day of daycare may need to be scheduled every week instead of a partial day. 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. Advantage: More time to devote to learning. Some districts have seen their disciplinary issues decline by more than 70% in the first two years of implementing a 4-day schedule. Less time in school could allow students the freedom to discover other interests that are fulfilling and stimulating. There are some drawbacks to shorter school days, as well. configuration, but nine districts were actually spending more. Potential for juvenile crime to increase. If she is not receptive to your suggestions, you may want to get a doctors note stating that recess is required. The Oakridge School District in Oregon reported that their test scores improved when they shifted to this alternative schedule as well. that the flexibility of the 4-day work week helps them get more done. 1. Shorter School Days Are the Way. When larger school districts attempt this kind of schedule, they find few, if any, benefits coming from their actions. Teachers are attracted by the prospect of having a shorter work week. It changes the holiday schedules for the school district. Changing the times could increase attendance by 1%, which could bring in $40 million more. Obesity, anxiety and stress, as well as lower grades, can all be attributed to a lack of sleep, according to the National Sleep Foundation. Sports schedules are easier to manage. Disadvantage: Less time for extracurricular activities. The Advantages and Disadvantages of Extended School Days Advantage: More time to devote to learning. Although families benefit from the 3-day weekend and those scheduling benefits, the non-traditional time off given to students can offset some of that savings. Some research indicates there may be slight academic benefits to extending the school day. Your typical school week: Monday-Friday with the hours sometime between 7 am- 4 pm. If so, keep reading. 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. There should be year round schooling because it can help students learn more and forget less, other classes are included and childcare is provided, teachers get more time to plan and teach lessons. It almost forces some families into taking their vacation time from work during these holidays to accommodate the needs of their children. There tends to be less student exhaustion, which allows them to focus more on the learning process. At the same time, the constant back-and-forth for students limits the amount of fun they can have. The Advantages and Disadvantages of Extended School Days Advantage: More time to devote to learning. Required fields are marked *, on Why School Days Should Be Shorter? The ability to offer a 3-day weekend, every weekend, is a powerful motivator for school districts that are recruiting for quality employees. Schools may even have to purchase lights for after school activities. 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. As with any innovation, shorter workweeks have advantages and disadvantages. Taking only one class is practically a . The 4-day schedule eliminates one full driving day for the transportation department. 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. 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. Pros And Cons Of Five Day School Week 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. Spread the loveWe all have our heroes. Most school districts are sticking to the 5-day schedule. time attracting qualified applicants. That means the average cost, per student, is about $700. It is also good for teachers and the whole school. This could be especially true for students who are struggling in a particular subject or for students who have a lot of homework. 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. Those against extended lunches might argue . School administration, associates with principal office also went down. According to The Notebook, longer school days add to low energy and exhaustion. Read the Full Transcript Judy Woodruff: For many American students and. . Elizabeth Perle 1). That means half of parents will enjoy the alternative school schedule and half will hate it. Budgetary requirements are an important part of a longer school days pros and cons list. The Advantages and Disadvantages of Extended School Days Advantage: More time to devote to learning. In the United States, only five states require recess in elementary schools, with Texas not one of them. Increase Engagement and Productivity. Longer school days may lead to attention deficit and fatigue, making the extra class time ineffective. There are positive outcomes that may occur, but there are negative outcomes that must also be managed. Kuss Middle School in Fall River, Mass., has risen from a Level 5 to a Level 1 after implementing extended learning time. Saving on utilities school buses, and long term building wear and tear. flexibility to teachers schedules and as a result, makes their jobs more 5. For some, a 4-day week makes perfect sense. How does it impact your success? Dr. Meier is is a regular contributor for The Equity Network and has worked in education for more than 30 years. A change in schedule is an adjustment for school officials, students and families. This issue occurs at all grade levels. Some schools do not allow recess to be used as punishment, while others may do so on a case-by-case basis. teams may need to practice, professional development sessions may convene, etc. Delaying school start times is associated with a decrease in bedtimes and an increase in sleep for every minute the school day is delayed. This solution has many mixed opinions from parents, teachers and. 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. 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. In the United States, about 50% of all companies are either offering or thinking about offering a 4-day workweek for their workers. Some school districts have reported saving Childrens schooldays should be around 8 hours long, and they should be school-aged all year. One internet search reveals a wealth of opinions on both sides of the issue, and each argument sheds light on the topic. A low income school in New Haven, Connecticut started the new year telling students they would be attending school until 4:15 P.M. four days a week. How To Switch School Districts Without Moving? This has been a hot topic especially the states that dont have as large of an economy. Spread the loveThis program assesses 15-year-old students schooling in countries that form part of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Christmas and Spring holiday weeks may be extended as well. Their child is at home while they are at work, which is problematic for parents of younger children. Con: School districts across the U.S. are struggling to make ends meet. The evaluated skills include science, math, and reading. Better Employee Engagement A 4 day week can lead to happier and more committed employees. Shorter Classes: Depending on your school's summer schedule, you can complete a semester's worth of work in eight, five, or even three weeks. 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. "I get really tired throughout the day and I would love shorter school hours." The program not only saves districts money, but it also allows students to spend more time with their families. Some families find that aligning the school day with typical parent work schedules is a family-friendly approach. How do longer school days affect students? Shortening the school day by even an hour or two can allow a district to save dramatically on its utility costs. There is a variety of emotional and behavioral problems, depression, alcohol use, and impaired cognitive function that can contribute to this. First, it would give students more time to focus on their homework and studies outside of school. The disadvantage is that more time does not equate to more learning. 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. What are the pros and cons of longer school days? Despite the fact that a few studies have recently been published, there is no significant research on the four-day school week. While state requirements vary on the number of instructional days and hours in the year, the majority of states set the school year at 180 days (30 states). Cutting that by 20% means a savings of $4 billion, if implemented nationwide. Spread the loveUsually, people are under the wrong impression that geography does not offer many job opportunities, and there are no jobs for a geographer. They may also experience irritability and fatigue. Lets face it our best school memories arent from tests or pop quizzes. Another is that shorter days could lead to shorter attention spans in classrooms. Students can adjust to the new schedule. The schedule forces teachers to spend small blocks of time on specific topics without really being able to dig into in-depth issues. By having more instruction in class, students can not only get better test scores, but they can also get better grades. This provided the teacher with more freedom with curriculum and time management. on those days off. Why did they switch to 4-day school weeks? If practicums can be included with small group discussions, the retention rate can top 90% for some students. It provides an extra day for actual rest to occur when it may be needed without compromising the remainder of the family schedule. Massachusetts, a pioneer in extended learning time (ELT), has made significant progress in this field. One way to address these issues is to shift the traditional school schedule into 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. These schools save all this money from just switching to a shorter week. 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 . Spread the loveGlobalization is the growing interconnectedness of countries around the world. Con: A lengthened school day may impede upon extracurricular activities, especially in secondary education. Spread the loveAre you looking for ways to teach students to take care of their personal property? Spread the loveEducation is a collaborative process, as it takes many stakeholders working in unison to help students succeed academically. Many break times have been incorporated in the calendar, such as morning recess, afternoon recess, snack time, and so on. In Lexington, Oregon, Morrow County was able to save about $250,000 their first year, but out of a budget of $14 million. It is encouraged for students to try new things in order to benefit from them. 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. Public school everything for schoolchildren and students. Four day school weeks have been discussed by many schools, and some schools already have them. Pro: Education is a priority, and funding should not hold back efforts to provide more effective academic preparation for students. There are potential savings to food programs and other important areas of infrastructure because the school district is closed 1 additional day each week. With the 4-day schedule, another 1.5 hours is added to their school day, every day. The pros and cons of a 4-day school week offer many challenges. The pros of year-round school Eliminating any sort of long break from school can improve a child's academic achievement. Employment opportunities with a 3-day weekend are increasing. It requires longer school days. Spread the loveThe Talent Search Initiative has as its aim; the identification of high-performing students by organizing specific tests. The Melstone School District in Montana also shifted to a 4-day school week. Overall, there are pros and cons to shorter school days. After analyzing Colorado schools operating on four-day school weeks, (Dam) reports that transportation costs can be reduced by 20%. Too Early to Tell When properly implemented, extended learning time programs have the potential to increase students academic progress as well as their social and emotional development. 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. 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. But slowly over the nation, schools are switching to a four day school week. Although sleep is a huge and major part, it is not the only part. Teachers report 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? 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. When making a decision about whether to adopt a shorter school week, it is important for school districts to consider the 4 day school week pros and cons. They found out that seven school districts saved money under the new 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. Students already feel like their school day is too long. The standard requirement for schools is 180 days or an average range of 990-1080 hours. 3. Who Sang For Troy In High School Musical? This occurs because a large number of students are moving around the school campus. Students will have extra time outside of school to devote to other essential elements of their life as a result of this change. Custer School District, in rural South Dakota, believed they could save $70,000 with a 4-day school week. She studies hard, does her research and assignments, and goes to class every single day. 1. That can make it difficult for some students to pay attention to the information being provided. We can all agree that school feels like it lasts forever. If you are arrested for spanking your child, you may face charges of assault, battery, child abuse, or domestic violence. There have been several studies that reported the 4-day school week had positive effects on students math and reading scores. 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. There are numerous advantages and disadvantages to each. They can explore and discover various hobbies and interests, maintain their stress levels and get more sleep. The only question is does it hurt students education but the statistics are showing that is clearly not the case one bit. Special correspondent Lisa Stark of Education Week reports on the pros and cons for students, families and schools. The school districts in New Mexico are one of the best examples of this benefit. A poll where 2,700 random people were polled about 67% favoured a 4 day school week(university of Scranton). Students are still getting the same amount of instruction in terms of minutes, just in a shorter number of days. Parents can drop-off their kids in the morning, then pick them up in the afternoon, without worrying about work. Shorter school days should be utilized in the U.S. education system as it comes with many benefits. But just because the final bell rang doesnt mean that youre done. Advantage: More time for other subjects. From the moment you walk into the second you walk out. Year-round schooling has been proposed as a better option for students than a traditional 9-month schedule. Longer school days make no sense when there is so much else we could be doing with our time. The Because of this, school districts dont have a hard Some are facing the debate about whether to keep standardized tests or not. A small portion of the districts cash is saved, but not as much as intangibles. 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. It takes about 4-years for schools to get these students back on track academically. Increases student attendance. The Edvocate was created in 2014 to argue for shifts in education policy and organization in order to enhance the quality of education and the opportunities for learning afforded to P-20 students in America. First and foremost, an extended school day would provide students with extra learning time. Over the course of a 2-year period on this alternative schedule, they reported up to a 20% increase in student attendance. Weekend sporting events make it easier to get students to them, especially when they are an away event, because the school day doesnt interfere on a Friday. My main concern is that most kids will not be able to focus by the end of the day because the school days will be longer,and so there would be no point in trying to teach at the end of the day. They also said students can gain more time for fun and still receive an excellent education. 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. 1. That reduces the effective time they would have for homework once they actually make it home. What's the Difference Between Burnout and Demoralization, and What Can Teachers Do About It? They question the value of a continuous . Along with giving kids more time to concentrate on critical activities, a shortened school day would also provide pupils with more opportunity to relax. Long school days, on the other hand, can present some challenges and, at the very least, unsatisfactory outcomes. Spread the loveFor the past few decades, our countrys educational system has seen both struggle and tremendous change. What are the Pros and Cons of 4-Day School Weeks? New Haven teachers in an unprecedented move allowed their teacher unions to take over the rewriting of their contracts. Extending the school days even longer would further cut into valuable time to bond with family. With the long break of summer, many people prefer the short breaks of year round schools. To see how shorter school days hurt both teachers and students, we need to look at a major structural change in education. 1. There have been several studies that reported the 4-day school week had positive effects on student's math and reading scores. Con: A longitudinal study in New Mexico looked at the performance difference in K-3 students from seven different school districts. Those human beings that seem larger than life and almost achieve Godlike status. A potential decline in academic performance for vulnerable groups. Ages. It is important to consider all of the factors before making a decision. It is also possible for schools to extend the school day in more districts across the country. Finally, teachers and students would have better relationships as they spend more time together instead of being rushed. Those that had implemented the alternative scheduling found that student attendance could rise by more than 20. Moving to the 4-day schedule shifts student movement patterns, reducing the number of lost transition minutes. Games occur in the evening, often on the weekend. If schools only had one day off per week, millions of dollars would be saved. manageable in a myriad of ways. I say this because we would have to start. According to Adam Urbanski, president of the Rochester Teachers Association, there is no guarantee that popularity will be replicated in other schools. 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. 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. Some families find that aligning the school day with typical parent work schedules is a family-friendly approach. Well, for some rural schools across the nation, this has become a reality. In 1095or in 1905, depending on your sourcesRoberto Nevelis of Venice, Italy, is often credited with inventing the concept of homework. There are various school days in the United States. school schedules from 5 to 4 days. One school said that they have saved a teacher in diesel fuel costs (chiaramonte 2 ). 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. Shorter school days should be used in the United States education system since they have several advantages. Many of these schools are already operating on an alternative schedule because that is what works best for their community. Finally, some parents worry that shorter days could mean that their children would have less time to participate in extracurricular activities. There are a few potential drawbacks to shorter school days. One is that students might not have enough time to receive all the instruction they need in a particular subject. 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. Student performance may improve with a 4-day school week. Having students to fit 5 days' worth of classroom time into 4 days would make for a tiring schedule, where many of the younger school children would find it very difficult to focus on their study for such long periods. (Solution). Should school hours be shorter? Despite these difficulties, many disabled students go on to lead successful and fulfilling lives. They balk at the idea of kids attending schools with no summer break. School districts save money. The Pros and Cons to Longer School Days. 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. Anticipated savings are in transportation, food and food service workers, hourly workers and utilities. It matches the class schedule to a parent's work schedule. Practices for sports are still held on the fifth day, as are teacher conferences, staff development opportunities, and required janitorial work.
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