pros and cons of shorter school days

Other popular year-round schedules are the 60-20 and 90-30 calendars, where students are in class for 60 or 90 days with vacations of 20 or 30 days respectively. 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 . 12 Pros and Cons of a 4 Day School Week - Vittana.org Most school districts are sticking to the 5-day schedule. Pro: An extended school day provides more flexibility for parents, eliminating the need for after-school care. Reasons Why the School Day Should Be Shorter - Synonym With the 4-day schedule, another 1.5 hours is added to their school day, every day. 2. 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. Since an entire day is cut off the week, that extra time needs to be made up during the remaining four days. Find out about families that swap a shorter summer break for learning time that's more continuous. Finally, shorter school days could result in less time for extracurricular activities, which could have a negative impact on student morale. Decreased need to re-teach skills after long vacations, allowing teachers to use classroom time more efficiently. Four day school weeks have been discussed by many schools, and some schools already have them. The article Should School Stay Earlier? At the same time, teacher attendance rates also rose, which is a trend still seen in these districts, 20+ years later. Pros and cons of shorter work weeks - Royal Examiner Shorter work weeks can improve employment productivity and provide families with more meaningful time together. A switch to a 4-day schedule gives teachers more time to use teaching styles that are more effective. Pros and cons of a four day working week. In comparison to 2007, the number of public schools that offer year-round programs has increased by 26%. Children have a six-week summer break and ten days of off every 45 days of class. Although sleep is a huge and major part, it is not the only part. Parents can drop-off their kids in the morning, then pick them up in the afternoon, without worrying about work. They question the value of a continuous . 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. You wont have to run the electricity or pay for buses. 3. Some are even cutting arts programs or shortening the school week to balance the budget. 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. In addition, they are given a week off for major holidays and 2 weeks of summer vacation at their parents discretion. The Advantages and Disadvantages of Extended School Days Advantage: More time to devote to learning. Going to the 4-day schedule can create scheduling conflicts with other districts, particularly with sporting events, performances, and groups like 4-H. List of the Advantages of 4-Day School Weeks 1. If a longer lunch allows high school students to leave campus, they might opt for unhealthy fast-food options; on the other hand, this extended time might allow them to seek out healthier dishes than those available in the cafeteria. The Pros And Cons Of Shorter School Days - 1283 Words | Bartleby 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. That reduces the effective time they would have for homework once they actually make it home. 2023 The Black Well Firm. Four-Day School Week Overview - National Conference of State Legislatures Spread the loveThis term refers to the grouping of students by mental capability, aptitude, or hobbies. Practices for sports are still held on the fifth day, as are teacher conferences, staff development opportunities, and required janitorial work. The disadvantage is that more time does not equate to more learning. You should approach these strategies with your childs teacher instead of punishing him or her. Your email address will not be published. How does it impact your success? At my school, class went from 8:15 a.m. until 4:15 p.m. about an hour or two longer than a typical five-day-week school's day. Finally, some parents worry that shorter days could mean that their children would have less . Next, parents would not have to get day care except on Fridays instead of the whole summer. 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. Some schools do not allow recess to be used as punishment, while others may do so on a case-by-case basis. Such as emotional and behavioral problems, violence, depression, alcohol use, impaired cognitive function, etc. At the same time, the constant back-and-forth for students limits the amount of fun they can have. It is a program for mostly rural and small school districts. Long school days, on the other hand, can present some challenges and, at the very least, unsatisfactory outcomes. Students usually go to school about 6 hours each day in most districts. Year-Round Schedules Many people think of the school year as starting in August or at the beginning of September and continuing for 10 months. In 1095or in 1905, depending on your sourcesRoberto Nevelis of Venice, Italy, is often credited with inventing the concept of homework. There are numerous advantages and disadvantages to each. Imagine a school year that gave the students one week off after every quarter and every Friday off. The schedule forces teachers to spend small blocks of time on specific topics without really being able to dig into in-depth issues. What are the pros and cons of longer school days? She studies hard, does her research and assignments, and goes to class every single day. In By 2013, a dramatic improvement in scores was credited to the extended learning time. Colorado has nearly three-quarters of its school districts on a four-day schedule. 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. And the school districts in the state have stable student achievement levels on their standardized tests. Longer school days may have some positive impact on student achievement, but research on their effects is lacking. 6. Younger people shouldn't have to work as long as some adults do. So what are the pros and cons of 4-day school weeks? 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 found out that seven school districts saved money under the new School districts consider shorter school days for several reasons, including saving money and providing students the ability to participate in more extracurricular activities. 10 Main Pros and Cons of 4 Day School Weeks - Green Garage They need a shorter school day so they can have more time to relax and play. 4. Well, at least initially. Year-round schooling has been proposed as a better option for students than a traditional 9-month schedule. the fifth day, but they forget, they will still be open and running activities This can be due to a lack of accessible facilities and resources, or negative attitudes and misconceptions from teachers and classmates. But the extra money hasn't gone into teachers' salaries, which have dropped on average from . manageable in a myriad of ways. Teachers will have more leisure time to spend with their family as a result of the reduced school days. 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. Ages. If a student lives an hour outside of town and have an 8am school bell to meet, then theyre on the bus at 7am. Pros Vs. Cons of Extended School Days - The Classroom When larger school districts attempt this kind of schedule, they find few, if any, benefits coming from their actions. These actions often negate the benefits of the 3-day weekend because it really isnt a true 3-day weekend. What are the pros and cons of shorter school week? First and foremost, an extended school day would provide students with extra learning time. 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 Pros and Cons of Year-Round Schools - Scholastic Year round schools, can actually benefit students in the long run. Small group learning with discussion, for example, increases the information retention rate for students up to 80%. Many of these schools are already operating on an alternative schedule because that is what works best for their community. In YRE, the number of days in school equals the number of days in a calendar year (180 days). "I get really tired throughout the day and I would love shorter school hours." The idea has been to cut hours while keeping pay the same. So it is illogical to think that a four day week will help other grade levels. Other Debates. Having well-rested and happy employees can increase their overall work engagement and productivity. 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. Students with less sleep have difficulty paying attention in class and are likely to have lower grades. The Edvocate plans to be one of key architects of this revival, as it continues to advocate for education reform, equity, and innovation. Many recommend that teens get at least eight hours of sleep to feel well rested and . 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. Four day school weeks are becoming a necessity for some rural school districts that lack funding. 5. These crimes occurred all during the week, The Advantages and Disadvantages of Extended School Days. Some of the pros of year-round schooling include: 1 . In the 4-day school week 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? After 12 hours of being away from home, students struggle to find time to study during the 4-day school week. It starts too early, ends too late, and occurs far too often. Fuel, oil, salaries, and supervisory costs can be, A lot of parents are shaking their heads at the consideration of a four-day school week, and a longer school day. The average time for school that is scheduled in a 4-day week is either 7:30am-5pm or 8am-5:30pm. It requires longer school days. 2. 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. Most students, especially younger ones, find that the traditional school schedule is already too long. 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? Shortening the School Day | Education - Seattle PI The Pros And Cons Of Shortening School Days - 676 Words | Bartleby Some families find that aligning the school day with typical parent work schedules is a family-friendly approach. the traditional 5th day. Spread the loveWe all have our heroes. Pros and Cons of a Longer School Day | GoStudent | GoStudent 20 Major Pros and Cons of a 4 Day School Week - BrandonGaille Many of these districts are small and rural, such as Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Wyoming. This schedule works much better for parents, who often have that working schedule themselves. There is no one answer to this question as every disabled students experience is unique. Pro: In 2004, the school day was lengthened for a Massachusetts school to address the issue of underperforming students. Do students learn better in shorter classes? The Pros and Cons of a Four-Day School Week - ThoughtCo . Should school hours be shorter? Additionally student involvement and safety would suffer. 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. Are shorter school days better? - Global Answers It may reduce the number of discipline referrals for students. districts think they will save tons of money by cutting operational costs on We call for a relatively radical and certainly quite comprehensive reorganization of Americas P-20 system. four-day week across 16 school districts. 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. Increases student attendance. The kids groan, complain about getting out of bed, and struggle to get through the morning routine. The Melstone School District in Montana also shifted to a 4-day school week. 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. 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. If so, keep reading. Additional learning time as well as improved schedule alignment would make the lives of families noticeably more pleasant. In many cases, it is in the best interests of students to reduce costs and have minimal impact on instruction. If you want to avoid withholding recess as punishment, consider rewarding yourself rather than punishing yourself, such as rewarding yourself with extra recess for good behavior. 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. Rural school districts and small school districts benefit the most from a 4-day schedule because of their natural isolation. When I was a teacher, many moons ago, this was a fringe schooling schedule only practiced by rural school districts. Defining Moments Are What Make Good School Leaders Great, Year-Round Schooling: How it Affects Students, Why you need a multi-tiered behavioral support approach, Understanding Strategy and Strategic Leadership, Teaching & Learning Strategies, Concepts, and Terms That Every Teacher Must Know: Letters DIA-DIG, First-Year Teachers: 4 Reasons You Need a Mentor Right Now, 18 Reasons the U.S. Education System is Failing, The Top 5 Unexpected Benefits of Early Childhood Education. They were located in 7 western states in the U.S. and all but 13 of them identified themselves as being a rural school district. that the flexibility of the 4-day work week helps them get more done. Pros and cons of dropping out of school - Pros an Cons Pros & Cons of Longer School Lunches | livestrong Shorter School Days Are the Way. In-depth consultation between all constituents reveals the pros and cons of extended school days. 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. 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. Students will have extra time outside of school to devote to other essential elements of their life as a result of this change. If something goes wrong . They may also experience irritability and fatigue. However, these basics vary, depending on a company's policy. Students in a 4-day school week are packing 180 days into a condensed 145-day schedule. If school doesnt get out until 4pm, then the student makes it home at 5pm. Students in the third through sixth grades have improved their ACT scores, according to studies. Increase Engagement and Productivity. Why is year round school better? Explained by Sharing Culture Some schools even require students to have the belt line exposed at all times for fear of guns concealed under clothing. These will be some pros of a four day school week. According to a Center for American Progress study, traditional school schedules are out of sync with the current economic environment. Black Boys in Crisis: Why Arent They Reading? What are the Pros and Cons of 4-Day School Weeks? As a result, learning is less effective due to budget constraints. SHORTER SCHOOL DAYS Science Leadership Academy @ Center City Some students and parents have been advocating for shorter school days, and there is some evidence to suggest that shorter days could be beneficial. 1. However, there are advantages and disadvantages associated with shortening the school day that should be considered before sweeping action is taken to alter the traditional school day. Extending the school days even longer would further cut into valuable time to bond with family. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship. (Lewis) In Bonneville, Idaho the school started later in the day which resulted in absences dropping 15%. NOTE : The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Teachers have more time to prepare lessons and collaborate during the day. Con: School districts across the U.S. are struggling to make ends meet. 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. Harvest times were set in the old way and still are when most school calendars are set up, when the United States was a farm country. 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. Delaying school start times is associated with a decrease in bedtimes and an increase in sleep for every minute the school day is delayed. Custer School District, in rural South Dakota, believed they could save $70,000 with a 4-day school week. Massachusetts, a pioneer in extended learning time (ELT), has made significant progress in this field. I say this because we would have to start. Schools can save up to 20% on some budget-line expenses with a 4-day week. The Pros and Cons of a 4 Day Work Week - TimeCamp Most schools, when Year Round Schooling: Should it Be Implemented? Better Employee Engagement A 4 day week can lead to happier and more committed employees. Over the last century, humans have acquired a staggering amount of knowledge and understanding. 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. If young kids are too weary to concentrate or perform well in class, they may experience weariness or fall asleep during class time. In 2007-2008, the United States had an average school day of 6.64 hours per day, and an average school year of 180 days. 3. To compare, a regular semester generally lasts 16-18 weeks. It would also be beneficial to reduce the week in order to promote activity participation. Money is saved on that day because they don't have to run lights, heater or AC. In New Mexico, 18 of the states 89 school districts are currently using this alternative schedule. This is one reason school districts use to implement dress codes. Special correspondent Lisa Stark of Education Week reports on the pros and cons for students, families and schools. Why weekends should be longer for students? Adds flexibility to teachers schedules. From the moment you walk into the second you walk out. . The Pros and Cons of a 4 Day Working Week - Change Recruitment In 2009, there were 3,000 schools in the United States operating on a year-round basis. 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. Teachers report 1. Many school districts still operate Monday-Friday, even on a 4-day week. All rights reserved. Changing the system could result in many more. It can help teachers and students better manage the process of learning. One internet search reveals a wealth of opinions on both sides of the issue, and each argument sheds light on the topic. Students that sit in lecture classrooms retain 10% or less of the information that is presented to them. 15 Major Pros and Cons of Early School Start Times Extended School Year Pros & Cons | GEDDES - raymondgeddes.com Opportunity to relax and really immerse yourself in the experience. Well, for some rural schools across the nation, this has become a reality. 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Research has shown that in this configuration, students who are low-income, minority, or special needs dont fare too well academically. 2. Lets face it our best school memories arent from tests or pop quizzes. There are potential savings to food programs and other important areas of infrastructure because the school district is closed 1 additional day each week. The disadvantage is that more time does not equate to more learning.

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