By 2013, a dramatic improvement in scores was credited to the extended learning time. This would help not only our school but also the parents if they cant afford the gas. Year-round schooling has been proposed as a better option for students than a traditional 9-month schedule. Spread the loveAre you looking for ways to teach students to take care of their personal property? Most schools, when Year Round Schooling: Should it Be Implemented? Third, shorter days could reduce the amount of time that students spend on the bus or in the car, which would save money and reduce pollution. 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. However, these basics vary, depending on a company's policy. In the United States, $17.5 billion each year is spent on school bus transportation. Does precision really make a program successful? 1. The four-day week, according to the research, is far more cost-effective than the traditional five-day week. Spread the loveWe all have our heroes. There have been several studies that reported the 4-day school week had positive effects on students math and reading scores. Finally, teachers and students would have better relationships as they spend more time together instead of being rushed. 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. In 2009, there were 3,000 schools in the United States operating on a year-round basis. Four day school weeks are becoming a necessity for some rural school districts that lack funding. Longer school days may have some positive impact on student achievement, but research on their effects is lacking. Your email address will not be published. Practices for sports are still held on the fifth day, as are teacher conferences, staff development opportunities, and required janitorial work. This added A three-day weekend allows for extra leisure time, as well as a reduction in commute and energy usage. 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. Potential for juvenile crime to increase. There were also reduced sick days requested by their teaching staff. Time of day effects may be induced by variations in the quality of instructors instruction, changes in the learning abilities of students, or differences in student attendance patterns. Children would get up early and help with chores, go to school and then help out on the farm until sundown. But just because the final bell rang doesnt mean that youre done. 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. 4. His conclusion was that the best way to solve poverty was to educate the children in public schools. Spread the loveThis term refers to the grouping of students by mental capability, aptitude, or hobbies. This provided the teacher with more freedom with curriculum and time management. Those that had implemented the alternative scheduling found that student attendance could rise by more than 20. Adds flexibility to teachers schedules. If so, keep reading. 1. Spread the loveEducation is a collaborative process, as it takes many stakeholders working in unison to help students succeed academically. With the 4-day schedule, another 1.5 hours is added to their school day, every day. A change in schedule is an adjustment for school officials, students and families. If the school days are shortened, then students will not be able to learn enough because of the short school day. Money is saved on that day because they don't have to run lights, heater or AC. 1. It is important to consider all of the factors before making a decision. An eight-hour day is pretty undesirable for elementary-aged kids. While some research has shown that increasing the amount of time spent in class can boost student accomplishment, these findings have been influenced by factors such as the classroom atmosphere, the quality of instruction, and students prior knowledge and abilities. 2. Increasing the length of school days may result in attention deficit and exhaustion, making the additional class time inefficient. 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. 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. There is no one answer to this question as it can depend on individual circumstances. Delaying school start times is associated with a decrease in bedtimes and an increase in sleep for every minute the school day is delayed. 5. Colorado, juvenile crime increased by 73% whenever a school changed their Most school districts are sticking to the 5-day schedule. That reorganization, though, and the underlying effort, will have much to do with reviving the American education system, and reviving a national love of learning. What we envisage may not be the most straightforward or the most conventional ideas. Schools can save up to 20% on some budget-line expenses with a 4-day week. 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. So it is illogical to think that a four day week will help other grade levels. 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. 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 ). If so, keep reading. Longer school days make no sense when there is so much else we could be doing with our time. Since the approach to curriculum development and pedagogical style varies by state and district, data must be disaggregated to evaluate specific impact. Pros and cons of shorter work weeks. Having well-rested and happy employees can increase their overall work engagement and productivity. Cons of the 4-Day School Week. 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. 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? Since many of the families in these areas run farms, it gives families extra time to get work done during the week. Parents can drop-off their kids in the morning, then pick them up in the afternoon, without worrying about work. 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. Better sleep: Delayed start time could help teens sleep during . Rural areas report that their student attendance has increased since switching to the 4-day school week. 6. 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. But recently, there has been a move towards shorter weeks across the United States. Should schools go to a 4 day school week instead of 5 days? Your email address will not be published. It may eliminate common holidays, such as Memorial Day or Labor Day, from the schedule. Some research indicates there may be slight academic benefits to extending the school day. Why shorter school days are better for teachers? For the parents of younger students, an additional full day of daycare may need to be scheduled every week instead of a partial day. School districts save money. If you are arrested for spanking your child, you may face charges of assault, battery, child abuse, or domestic violence. 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. Students that sit in lecture classrooms retain 10% or less of the information that is presented to them. Arlene Ackerman says she and her students don't have the strength to teach or learn near the end of the school day. They saved 1.4%, or $45,000, instead. The capital, insurance, maintenance, and administrative costs remain relatively constant. What are the pros and cons for students, teachers and school boards? According to the findings, relocating some math classes to the morning and other subjects, such as English, to the afternoon might result in an increase in students GPAs and test outcomes. Sometimes even starting school earlier in the . 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. Why did they switch to 4-day school weeks? First and foremost, an extended school day would provide students with extra learning time. There are a variety of health issues that can be caused by a lack of sleep. After physical activity, children with or without ADHD appear to perform better at attention, memory, and mood. . The four-day school is a phenomenon that has been sweeping across the U.S. Data is an important variable if youre considering the longer school days pros and cons list. 3. It requires longer school days. The school districts in New Mexico are one of the best examples of this benefit. Massachusetts, a pioneer in extended learning time (ELT), has made significant progress in this field. 1. It provides an extra day for actual rest to occur when it may be needed without compromising the remainder of the family schedule. 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's almost the end of the first semester, and realizations are starting to set in. Theyre from moments we remember having fun, whether that was in the classroom, the playground, or the athletics field. According to author accounts, teachers and students suffer as a result of recess being taken away as a punishment for behavior. Pro: In 2004, the school day was lengthened for a Massachusetts school to address the issue of underperforming students. Younger people shouldn't have to work as long as some adults do. (Solution). In 2009, there were 3,000 schools in the United States operating on a year-round basis. So much so, many new teachers end up leaving the field within their first three years. It is critical to avoid producing a longer school day and instead produce a healthier, more balanced, and more engaging one. 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. The longer school days of a 4-day week make it almost impossible for teens to find a job after school. The disadvantage is that more time does not equate to more learning. Another is that shorter days could lead to shorter attention spans in classrooms.