The National School Board Association estimates that approximately 135,000 guns are brought to America's 85,000 public schools each day. recess has numerous benefits, including assisting students in reducing aggression and improving learning. That also makes scheduling problematic for many families. Less time in school could allow students the freedom to discover other interests that are fulfilling and stimulating. Why School Days Should Be Shorter? (Solution) - Public school 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. In the 4-day school week An eight-hour day is pretty undesirable for elementary-aged kids. 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. Why Should School Days Be Longer? 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The 4-day schedule eliminates one full driving day for the transportation department. They also said students can gain more time for fun and still receive an excellent education. Most parents have employment which requires them to be present for 8 hours per day, 5 days per week. All of these consequences just because nobody wants to shorten the school day. 5. 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. the traditional 5th day. It is a program for mostly rural and small school districts. This can be due to a lack of accessible facilities and resources, or negative attitudes and misconceptions from teachers and classmates. 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. Potential for juvenile crime to increase. It starts too early, ends too late, and occurs far too often. This creates challenges for families that range from transportation to daycare and could make it difficult for parents to be fully involved with their childs education. 1. By having more instruction in class, students can not only get better test scores, but they can also get better grades. The pros and cons of longer days and shorter breaks - SecEd Students follow the same type of pattern. That is a lot of time taken away, but if the school days were shortened, you would have a lot more time to do your activities. The disadvantage is that more time does not equate to more learning. After-school jobs are a common way for teens to make money. Just 11 of the districts had enrollments of more than 1,000 students. A story on the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's website said: The Pros and Cons of Year-Round Schools - Scholastic 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. Many recommend that teens get at least eight hours of sleep to feel well rested and . Spread the loveThis term refers to the grouping of students by mental capability, aptitude, or hobbies. The school districts in New Mexico are one of the best examples of this benefit. Suffolk Public Schools went with a 7:25 am start time for their district and are saving almost $700,000 per year. Since an entire day is cut off the week, that extra time needs to be made up during the remaining four days. The school also doesn't have to pay anyone that is on an hourly schedule. 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. Teachers are frequently overworked and required to perform tasks that are outside their job description. One is that it would likely mean that teachers would have to teach more classes, which could lead to burnout. In return, the number of disciplinary measures can also be reduced. A small portion of the districts cash is saved, but not as much as intangibles. NEA Today: A 9 to 5 School Day: Are Longer Hours Better for Students and Educators? The Advantages and Disadvantages of Extended School Days Advantage: More time to devote to learning. So what are the pros and cons of 4-day school weeks? schedule, the district adds 40 or so minutes to make up for the time lost on The Advantages and Disadvantages of Extended School Days. 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. If she is not receptive to your suggestions, you may want to get a doctors note stating that recess is required. Students who attend year-round school have the same number of school days as their counterparts following a traditional schedule. When I was a teacher, many moons ago, this was a fringe schooling schedule only practiced by rural school districts. 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. They found out that seven school districts saved money under the new This has been a hot topic especially the states that dont have as large of an economy. over 1 million dollars on utilities, busing, and labor costs. Longer school days may lead to attention deficit and fatigue, making the extra class time ineffective. Approximately 1,800 schools in the U.S. have extended learning hours, but there are many pros and cons of extended school days. First and foremost, an extended school day would provide students with extra learning time. 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. 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. Pros of the 4-day School Week. What are the pros and cons of longer school days? Too Early to Tell It takes about 4-years for schools to get these students back on track academically. School districts consider shorter school days for several reasons, including saving money and providing students the ability to participate in more extracurricular activities. 12 Pros and Cons of a 4 Day School Week (2023) 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. 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. Pros of Year-Round School. 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. Over the last century, humans have acquired a staggering amount of knowledge and understanding. Keeping schools open five days a week is not financially feasible. When it comes to school, we most likely understand what its like to go to school all year. Year-round schooling has been proposed as a better option for students than a traditional 9-month schedule. Moving to the 4-day schedule shifts student movement patterns, reducing the number of lost transition minutes. 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. Some research indicates there may be slight academic benefits to extending the school day. That may mean reducing Spring Break to 2 days instead of having the entire week off. The American Academy of Pediatrics states that children between the ages of 12 and 18 require at least eight hours of sleep per night, and in some cases as much as nine hours. That means the students in those districts have better opportunities to learn. Better sleep: Delayed start time could help teens sleep during . There are positive outcomes that may occur, but there are negative outcomes that must also be managed. This added Children would get up early and help with chores, go to school and then help out on the farm until sundown. She is the author and co-author of 12 books and serves as a consultant in K-12 and higher education. 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. Some of the pros of year-round schooling include: 1 . At the same time, the constant back-and-forth for students limits the amount of fun they can have. If so, keep reading. 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. 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. Some are facing the debate about whether to keep standardized tests or not. 5. 2. Your typical school week: Monday-Friday with the hours sometime between 7 am- 4 pm. But you see with shorter school days youd have more spare time to complete school work. Another is that shorter days could lead to shorter attention spans in classrooms. Shorter school days should be used in the United States education system since they have several advantages. Schools may even have to purchase lights for after school activities. This got me thinking about the pros and cons of longer vs. shorter trips. 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. Extending the school days even longer would further cut into valuable time to bond with family. In the United States, the average school day is around six and a half hours long. Many of these districts are small and rural, such as Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Wyoming. SHORTER SCHOOL DAYS Science Leadership Academy @ Center City It is also good for teachers and the whole school. Con: A longitudinal study in New Mexico looked at the performance difference in K-3 students from seven different school districts. 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. 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. There are a few potential drawbacks to shorter school days. A new educational model could be implemented: 9-to-5 schools. The benefits are many. Eleven states set the minimum number of instructional days between 160 and 179 days, and two states set the minimum above 180 days (Kansas and Ohio). 12 Pros and Cons of a 4 Day School Week - Vittana.org There can be no one answer to this question because it is a matter of case by case. Second, it would allow students to get more sleep, which is important for their health and well-being. It changes the holiday schedules for the school district. If schools only had one day off per week, millions of dollars would be saved. Childrens schooldays should be around 8 hours long, and they should be school-aged all year. Although the final outcome was beneficial the origins of the extended day was not welcomed. There are 21 states that have four-day school districts. The shorter the school day, the better? Even the cost savings of a total shift to a 4-day schedule may be minimal. The Benefits of Shorter School Days | Case Study Template 10 Longer School Days Pros and Cons - Vittana.org 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. Disadvantage: Less time for extracurricular activities. Over the course of their first year on this new schedule, they reported that the frequency of discipline referrals for their students dropped by 73%. The four-day arrangement gives opportunity for students to work an extra day at an after-school job, participate in volunteer activities, or pursue further educational goals by taking advantage of the extra day. 20 Major Pros and Cons of a 4 Day School Week - BrandonGaille The Agrarian calendar is rooted in the past. It provides an extra day for actual rest to occur when it may be needed without compromising the remainder of the family schedule. Schools would also have to change their bus transportation systems which are designed to run as efficiently and inexpensively as possible. Pros and cons of shorter work weeks. 2. 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. With the long break of summer, many people prefer the short breaks of year round schools. 4. The Pros and Cons of the Four-Day School Week - LINQ Instead, an investment should be made in improving teaching strategies and new technology that could transform the learning process. 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? According to The Notebook, longer school days add to low energy and exhaustion. 4. Con: A lengthened school day may impede upon extracurricular activities, especially in secondary education. Kids already spend a very long time each week in the school and away from their family. ", 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. There is the possibility of making up for lost time, especially those who are at a disadvantage due to the digital divide. 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. Additionally student involvement and safety would suffer. The schedule change also shifted how teachers assigned homework, making it more efficient and focused. That reduces the effective time they would have for homework once they actually make it home. Revisiting Using Edtech for Bullying and Suicide Prevention. In Lexington, Oregon, Morrow County was able to save about $250,000 their first year, but out of a budget of $14 million. For others, perhaps not. Colorado has nearly three-quarters of its school districts on a four-day schedule. Taking only one class is practically a . Required fields are marked *, on Why School Days Should Be Shorter? Every community has their own unique requirements that must be addressed by school scheduling. A switch to a 4-day schedule gives teachers more time to use teaching styles that are more effective. Data from the National Association of Year-Round Education . A 4-day school week is misleading. What they discovered was unexpected. 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. The Advantages and Disadvantages Of Four-Day Work Week - The Adecco Group Those changes happen because students who are active participants in their learning have more fun in school. Most students in the four-day districts80 percent of high school students and 90 percent of elementary studentsspent their "off day" at home. If you ask the average kid what they think about school, youll get a very honest answer: Its boring. From K-12, it can be difficult for students to stay engaged in the classroom during a 5-day school week. What Are Reasons to Have Shorter School Days? - Reference School Evaluation For Special Education What Parents Need to Know, Effectively Educating Diverse Student Populations: Strategies That Work - Applead Hofu, The Importance Of Sight Words In Early Reading GoGreenva.org, Online Education in Chennai - Birla Brainiacs, Advancing Technology Education in Rural High Schools Across - The Tech Edvocate - VSAY .IN. Elizabeth Perle 1). Cutting that by 20% means a savings of $4 billion, if implemented nationwide. 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 school day could be shortened to give children and teenagers more time for movement, brain breaks, and other activities that have been shown to increase learning outcomes. The challenges of implementing such a schedule for parents, administrators, and even some teachers have caused some Colorado school districts to return to the traditional schedule instead of the alternative 4-day schedule. Teachers in Seattle are deciding how to use an additional 20 minutes on top of the usual school day. Pros & Cons of Longer School Lunches | livestrong If no other elements are in place, it is highly unlikely that extending the school day would result in increased student learning. 5. In 1995, 84 school districts were studied that had already implemented a 4-day school week. These are the key points that must be addressed first. One issue that schools face today is what kind of school schedule there should be throughout the year. The driving force behind the proposal to lengthen the school day is the assertion that more instructional time would yield greater academic gains. Practices for sports are still held on the fifth day, as are teacher conferences, staff development opportunities, and required janitorial work. . 4 day school week would be better for schools without a doubt because you save money and kids will be more refreshed and not burned out also their behavior is showed to become better. Spread the loveTeachers need to realize that at home, in their neighborhoods, and in school, many students face difficulties that can interfere with learning. Since many of the families in these areas run farms, it gives families extra time to get work done during the week. Despite these difficulties, many disabled students go on to lead successful and fulfilling lives. Spread the loveGlobalization is the growing interconnectedness of countries around the world. How does it impact your success? They argue that playing with classmates helps children develop social skills. In New Mexico, 18 of the states 89 school districts are currently using this alternative schedule. Such as emotional and behavioral problems, violence, depression, alcohol use, impaired cognitive function, etc. flexibility is why they are such staunch proponents of the 4-day school schedule. 1. In 1095or in 1905, depending on your sourcesRoberto Nevelis of Venice, Italy, is often credited with inventing the concept of homework. As a result, kids will be less worried about time management and will be less likely to fall behind on such rewarding activities. 1. Sacrifices Family Time. 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. Many school districts still operate Monday-Friday, even on a 4-day week. Spread the loveAre you looking for strategies to teach students appropriate mealtime manners? It has been so problematic that in Colorado, some urban districts which switched to a 4-day school week have gone back to the traditional scheduling instead. Increases student attendance. Because of this, school districts dont have a hard Rural school districts find the greatest benefit in this area. Oklahoma Department of Education examined the economic effect of going to a The school day is too long. Advantage: More time to devote to learning. Rural areas report that their student attendance has increased since switching to the 4-day school week. It involves increasing communication and various forms of interaction between people of different nations, ethnicities and cultures. This is one of the strongest arguments in favour of a longer school day. Older students can spend time engaging in resum-building public service or paid work. Some students and parents have been advocating for shorter school days, and there is some evidence to suggest that shorter days could be beneficial. 2. Students with less sleep have difficulty paying attention in class and are likely to have lower grades. Shifting to this schedule does have certain disadvantages, especially for working parents. 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. 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. school schedules from 5 to 4 days. While small gains were made in reading, math and writing, there were no statistically significant results for children in the areas of receptive language, social skills or vocabulary. Finally, some parents worry that shorter days could mean that their children would have less . If school doesnt get out until 4pm, then the student makes it home at 5pm. Should school hours be shorter? This occurs because a large number of students are moving around the school campus. Younger people shouldn't have to work as long as some adults do. The Massachusetts Expanded Learning Time Initiative has already benefited 19 schools and over 10,000 students. The Pros and Cons of a Four-Day School Week - ThoughtCo 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. The Edvocate plans to be one of key architects of this revival, as it continues to advocate for education reform, equity, and innovation. Students usually go to school about 6 hours each day in most districts. 4-day school weeks: Educational innovation or detriment? - Brookings The four-day week, according to the research, is far more cost-effective than the traditional five-day week. 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. Changing the system could result in many more. Here are some additional key points to think about when looking at the pros and cons of a 4-day school week. It is encouraged for students to try new things in order to benefit from them. The disadvantage is that more time does not equate to more learning. The very thought of sending kids to school year-round makes some parents cringe. In 2009, there were 3,000 schools in the United States operating on a year-round basis. The current school schedule is a major downgrade from the 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM distance learning schedule.