Spread the loveTeachers need to realize that at home, in their neighborhoods, and in school, many students face difficulties that can interfere with learning. 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. It's almost the end of the first semester, and realizations are starting to set in. Some of the pros of year-round schooling include: 1 . 4 Day School Week? What to Know | 2023 4 Test Prep - Teacher Certification 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. Longer school days make no sense when there is so much else we could be doing with our time. 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. Students are engaged more fully when their school schedule is expanded, and they learn more efficiently when they are exposed to a more stimulating environment. The Pros and Cons of Longer vs. Shorter Trips. Additionally student involvement and safety would suffer. Home Pros and Cons 20 Major Pros and Cons of a 4 Day School Week. 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. So much so, many new teachers end up leaving the field within their first three years. 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. When Friday rolls around each week during the school year, many parents face the same situation. What are the Pros and Cons of 4-Day School Weeks? The pros and cons of longer days and shorter breaks - SecEd This would help not only our school but also the parents if they cant afford the gas. Advantages of a Shorter Work Week People who work a four-day week say they're healthier, happier, and less time-pressured, according to a report in The Atlantic - and their employers say their employees are much more focused and efficient. 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. That means the average cost, per student, is about $700. The Cons: The obvious reason for not shortening school days is the lack of learning time. Accidents, absences, and absences all fall on the decline, and students academic performance rises. 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If so, keep reading. 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. Schools would also have to change their bus transportation systems which are designed to run as efficiently and inexpensively as possible. Some schools do not allow recess to be used as punishment, while others may do so on a case-by-case basis. 3. The Pros and Cons of the Four-Day School Week - LINQ 2. This solution has many mixed opinions from parents, teachers and. 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. the traditional 5th day. flexibility is why they are such staunch proponents of the 4-day school schedule. When I was a teacher, many moons ago, this was a fringe schooling schedule only practiced by rural school districts. 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. Most students, especially younger ones, find that the traditional school schedule is already too long. For others, perhaps not. There are potential reductions in the financial costs of running a school district. Those that had implemented the alternative scheduling found that student attendance could rise by more than 20. 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. The only question is does it hurt students education but the statistics are showing that is clearly not the case one bit. In 2009, there were 3,000 schools in the United States operating on a year-round basis. First, it would give students more time to focus on their homework and studies outside of school. When implemented, however, 1st graders do just as well as teens with the expanded schedule and 3-day weekend. Decreased need to re-teach skills after long vacations, allowing teachers to use classroom time more efficiently. Lets face it our best school memories arent from tests or pop quizzes. Students who attend year-round school have the same number of school days as their counterparts following a traditional schedule. Theyre from moments we remember having fun, whether that was in the classroom, the playground, or the athletics field. This schedule cycles consistently throughout the year while making minor adjustments for major holidays and teacher workdays. Recent survey findings show that four-day school weeks have been adopted as a way to alleviate budgetary issues, attract teachers, and reduce student absencesissues that the pandemic . They dont usually run wild on the last day of school, instead working, making phone calls, or spending time with family. They need a shorter school day so they can have more time to relax and play. There are a few reasons why shorter school days could be beneficial. The Pros and Cons of a Four-Day School Week - SchoolMoney.org It almost forces some families into taking their vacation time from work during these holidays to accommodate the needs of their children. Pros and Cons of Longer School Days | GCU Blog There are positive outcomes that may occur, but there are negative outcomes that must also be managed. disabled students may also find it difficult to participate in extracurricular activities and socialise with their peers. In Alabama, the school year lasts 180 days and the school day lasts 7.03 hours. The final class ends 1-2 hours before the work day ends for most parents. 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. time attracting qualified applicants. 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. In Your email address will not be published. What's the Difference Between Burnout and Demoralization, and What Can Teachers Do About It? Should We Have Shorter School Days? - The BlackWell Firm One is that it would likely mean that teachers would have to teach more classes, which could lead to burnout. 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 ). According to The Notebook, longer school days add to low energy and exhaustion. In addition, they are given a week off for major holidays and 2 weeks of summer vacation at their parents discretion. Spread the loveEducation is a collaborative process, as it takes many stakeholders working in unison to help students succeed academically. Disadvantage: Less time for extracurricular activities. It may improve overall student attendance. Students can adjust to the new schedule. They also said students can gain more time for fun and still receive an excellent education. Custer School District, in rural South Dakota, believed they could save $70,000 with a 4-day school week. The reason why school districts are going to a 4 day school week is to save money and the states that you see switching to a 4 days are states that have economic problems such as Oklahoma. His conclusion was that the best way to solve poverty was to educate the children in public schools. Well, for some rural schools across the nation, this has become a reality. Games occur in the evening, often on the weekend. Shorter work weeks can improve employment productivity and provide families with more meaningful time together. 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. 6. Pros and Cons of Year-Round School - American University Keeping schools open five days a week is not financially feasible. That means one of the biggest expenses for the district is immediately cut by 20%. When teachers are more effective and efficient, student performance follows a similar pattern. The 180-day calendar is shorter than that of other industrialized countries, and some schools even find ways to shave days even further. It is important to consider all of the factors before making a decision. 1. Although sleep is a huge and major part, it is not the only part. It starts too early, ends too late, and occurs far too often. Students already feel like their school day is too long. Spread the loveAre you looking for strategies to help students who cannot fasten their own clothes? Going to the 4-day schedule can create scheduling conflicts with other districts, particularly with sporting events, performances, and groups like 4-H. Some students and parents have been advocating for shorter school days, and there is some evidence to suggest that shorter days could be beneficial. On the plus side, employees love it. 1. 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. 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. It is also possible for schools to extend the school day in more districts across the country. Most students, especially younger ones, find that the traditional school schedule is already too long. Adds flexibility to teachers schedules. In general, taking away recess as punishment may be seen as unfair or too harsh, especially for young children.