pros and cons of shorter school days pros and cons of shorter school days

So much so, many new teachers end up leaving the field within their first three years. They argue that playing with classmates helps children develop social skills. flexibility to teachers schedules and as a result, makes their jobs more It can also be difficult to monitor, as students may be able to find ways to sneak in a recess break even when they are supposed to be punished. Sometimes, schools are forced to travel during the school week to play some games or attend certain events. A new educational model could be implemented: 9-to-5 schools. 1. Lets take a look at some proof. If a student lives an hour outside of town and have an 8am school bell to meet, then theyre on the bus at 7am. Bisbee Unified School District (AZ) saved $154,000, Duval County Public School (FL) saved $7 million, and Lake Superior School District (MN) $200,000. Delaying school start times is associated with a decrease in bedtimes and an increase in sleep for every minute the school day is delayed. They saved 1.4%, or $45,000, instead. Spread the loveEducation is a collaborative process, as it takes many stakeholders working in unison to help students succeed academically. They need a shorter school day so they can have more time to relax and play. An understandable concern for parents, teachers, and students about the 4-day school week is the extended time required to be at school during the day. The Agrarian calendar is rooted in the past. Pros of the 4-day School Week. Additional learning time as well as improved schedule alignment would make the lives of families noticeably more pleasant. The four-day week did not appear to affect. The Advantages and Disadvantages of Extended School Days Advantage: More time to devote to learning. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Signup for The Edvocate Newsletter and have the latest in P-20 education news and opinion delivered to your email address! The school day had to accommodate available daylight and the requirements of helping with the family farm. 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. Since an entire day is cut off the week, that extra time needs to be made up during the remaining four days. The Rochester City Council established the Extended Learning Time initiative as part of Rochesters ongoing commitment to education. Which one is the best? The Advantages and Disadvantages of Extended School Days Advantage: More time to devote to learning. Pros and Cons of a Shorter Workweek. The pros of year-round school Eliminating any sort of long break from school can improve a child's academic achievement. Those changes happen because students who are active participants in their learning have more fun in school. Teachers in Seattle are deciding how to use an additional 20 minutes on top of the usual school day. The Alaska school year averaged about 180 days in length, and the school day was 6.48 hours long. Special correspondent Lisa Stark of Education Week reports on the pros and cons for students, families and schools. 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. 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. Longer school days may lead to attention deficit and fatigue, making the extra class time ineffective. Potential for juvenile crime to increase. Shorter School Days Are the Way. From the moment you walk into the second you walk out. Budgetary requirements are an important part of a longer school days pros and cons list. These are more reasons CHS should move to a four day school week. 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. However, these basics vary, depending on a company's policy. These actions often negate the benefits of the 3-day weekend because it really isnt a true 3-day weekend. In 2009, there were 3,000 schools in the United States operating on a year-round basis. Year round schools, can actually benefit students in the long run. The Cons. But slowly over the nation, schools are switching to a four day school week. These will be some pros of a four day school week. The current school schedule is a major downgrade from the 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM distance learning schedule. The program not only saves districts money, but it also allows students to spend more time with their families. The decision to implement such a schedule must therefore be handled at the local level. Here are some additional key points to think about when looking at the pros and cons of a 4-day school week. Spread the loveAre you looking for ways to teach students appropriate mealtime manners? Just 11 of the districts had enrollments of more than 1,000 students. 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. 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. The longer school days of a 4-day week make it almost impossible for teens to find a job after school. Students attending a 4-day school schedule may have requirements for their education that fall outside of the normal work schedule for their parents. The kids groan, complain about getting out of bed, and struggle to get through the morning routine. The only question is does it hurt students education but the statistics are showing that is clearly not the case one bit. 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. When larger school districts attempt this kind of schedule, they find few, if any, benefits coming from their actions. If the school days are shortened, then students will not be able to learn enough because of the short school day. by elenam112 states This means the school would be open longer, resulting in larger electrical and heating bills. Schools would need to stay open later at night for after school activities and stay open early in the morning for students who are dropped off early. Spread the loveAre you looking for ways to teach students to take care of their personal property? Arlene Ackerman says she and her students don't have the strength to teach or learn near the end of the school day. Con: A lengthened school day may impede upon extracurricular activities, especially in secondary education. configuration, but nine districts were actually spending more. 1. 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. That additional day can also be used for staff development time instead of taking away a school day to do so. Schools may even have to purchase lights for after school activities. 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. 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. There are approximately 300 children enrolled in California Elementary School under the age of eight. The Pros and Cons to Longer School Days. Children would get up early and help with chores, go to school and then help out on the farm until sundown. Another potential drawback is that shorter school days could lead to more after-school activities, which could be a problem for working parents. But recently, there has been a move towards shorter weeks across the United States. Other pros and cons exist in the school lunch debate. Oklahoma Department of Education examined the economic effect of going to a They balk at the idea of kids attending schools with no summer break. Pro: An extended school day provides more time for students to learn and the possibility of providing individualized attention for students in need. So what are the pros and cons of 4-day school weeks? Their child is at home while they are at work, which is problematic for parents of younger children. The schedule change also shifted how teachers assigned homework, making it more efficient and focused. (Solution). There are positive outcomes that may occur, but there are negative outcomes that must also be managed. The major pros and cons of a 4-day school week suggest that it can save money for districts, which means taxpayers benefit. 1. Why should school weeks be shorter? Your email address will not be published. More time to focus on mental health In the typical K-12 schooling model, mental health education is too often shunted aside. 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. 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. It takes about 4-years for schools to get these students back on track academically. For the parents of younger students, an additional full day of daycare may need to be scheduled every week instead of a partial day. Ages. How does it impact your success? Adds flexibility to teacher's schedules. Instead, an investment should be made in improving teaching strategies and new technology that could transform the learning process. Schools across the country offer extended learning hours. 2. Another is that shorter days could lead to shorter attention spans in classrooms. When students are too tired or mentally exhausted to concentrate at the end of the day, the last hour becomes meaningless. Delaying school start times has been shown to have positive outcomes for students and families in overwhelming scientific research. That is because larger districts offer more activities, manage more student events, and operate essentially 7 days per week during the school year anyway. As a result, learning is less effective due to budget constraints. Approximately 1,800 schools in the U.S. have extended learning hours, but there are many pros and cons of extended school days. Disadvantage: Less time for extracurricular activities. Some schools even require students to have the belt line exposed at all times for fear of guns concealed under clothing. Should school hours be shorter? They also said students can gain more time for fun and still receive an excellent education. Teachers have more time to prepare lessons and collaborate during the day. Older students can spend time engaging in resum-building public service or paid work. Although the final outcome was beneficial the origins of the extended day was not welcomed. If so, keep reading. 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 . 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. Many school districts still operate Monday-Friday, even on a 4-day week. Our general school hours run from 9 am - 2 pm, with extra . Childrens schooldays should be around 8 hours long, and they should be school-aged all year. The list just gets longer. These crimes occurred all during the week, Rural families experience the greatest impacts from the 4-day school week. It also means that they would have more time to mark the voluminous quantity of homework that they have to complete every night. During recess, limit the number of games or activities that students can participate in. 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. In New Mexico, 18 of the states 89 school districts are currently using this alternative schedule. Over the course of a 2-year period on this alternative schedule, they reported up to a 20% increase in student attendance. There were also reduced sick days requested by their teaching staff. Does precision really make a program successful? 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. Students in the third through sixth grades have improved their ACT scores, according to studies. 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. 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. Do 4-day school weeks positively affect student outcomes? Custer School District, in rural South Dakota, believed they could save $70,000 with a 4-day school week. Additional costs savings from a shorter day include less . Keeping schools open five days a week is not financially feasible. 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. There is the possibility of making up for lost time, especially those who are at a disadvantage due to the digital divide. One of the primary motivations for adopting the four-day week is financial savings for the school district. Parents can drop-off their kids in the morning, then pick them up in the afternoon, without worrying about work. The very thought of sending kids to school year-round makes some parents cringe. When I was a teacher, many moons ago, this was a fringe schooling schedule only practiced by rural school districts. More rest then equates to dealing with less stress over the course of a school year. Students are still getting the same amount of instruction in terms of minutes, just in a shorter number of days. It may reduce the number of discipline referrals for students. There tends to be less student exhaustion, which allows them to focus more on the learning process. It starts too early, ends too late, and occurs far too often. And the school districts in the state have stable student achievement levels on their standardized tests. It is also possible for schools to extend the school day in more districts across the country. A change in schedule is an adjustment for school officials, students and families. After analyzing Colorado schools operating on four-day school weeks, (Dam) reports that transportation costs can be reduced by 20%. Copyright (c) 2023 Matthew Lynch. 4. Spread the loveThis term describes a manner of classifying gifted students to place them in properly segmented classrooms. Students that sit in lecture classrooms retain 10% or less of the information that is presented to them. When properly implemented, extended learning time programs have the potential to increase students academic progress as well as their social and emotional development. Alexander Alvarez, Reporter November 16, 2021. Going to the 4-day schedule can create scheduling conflicts with other districts, particularly with sporting events, performances, and groups like 4-H. A potential decline in academic performance for vulnerable groups. Recently Michael Gove raised the issue of the length of school holidays and the school day - the former are apparently too long, the latter too short. 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. For the Cove School District in Eastern Oregon, the school day begins at 8am and doesnt end until 4pm. the fifth day, but they forget, they will still be open and running activities It provides an extra day for actual rest to occur when it may be needed without compromising the remainder of the family schedule. 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. School districts save money. 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. 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%. Long school days can cause eating problems for students who don't eat at school, or who use up all their energy while learning. Obesity, anxiety and stress, as well as lower grades, can all be attributed to a lack of sleep, according to the National Sleep Foundation. Theyre from moments we remember having fun, whether that was in the classroom, the playground, or the athletics field. 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. Schools would also have to change their bus transportation systems which are designed to run as efficiently and inexpensively as possible. Delaying school start times will assist students in developing the skills required to reach their full potential. Rural areas report that their student attendance has increased since switching to the 4-day school week. 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. 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. All rights reserved. When shifted to a 4-day school week, they reported that they were forced to focus on instruction much more than they had previously. It is important to consider all of the factors before making a decision. When Friday rolls around each week during the school year, many parents face the same situation. Many recommend that teens get at least eight hours of sleep to feel well rested and . Children need the opportunity to rest and re-energize, and theyre often overextended with activities, homework and part-time jobs. A small portion of the districts cash is saved, but not as much as intangibles. 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. Those human beings that seem larger than life and almost achieve Godlike status. Some are even cutting arts programs or shortening the school week to balance the budget. Better sleep: Delayed start time could help teens sleep during . 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. . time attracting qualified applicants. 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. Adds flexibility to teachers schedules. The pros and cons of a 4-day school week offer many challenges. . There are various school days in the United States. 5. 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. 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. 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. The standard requirement for schools is 180 days or an average range of 990-1080 hours. His conclusion was that the best way to solve poverty was to educate the children in public schools. 2. 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. But the extra money hasn't gone into teachers' salaries, which have dropped on average from . That means the average cost, per student, is about $700. Shorter school days should be utilized in the U.S. education system as it comes with many benefits. What are the advantages and disadvantages of including issues such as child care? The evaluated skills include science, math, and reading. 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. 1. 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. 3. Students feel less pressure because they have more time to study at their own pace at home, especially in the later grades. Pros of Year-Round School. This leads to added costs that some families, living paycheck to paycheck, may not be able to afford. So it is illogical to think that a four day week will help other grade levels. Some districts have seen their disciplinary issues decline by more than 70% in the first two years of implementing a 4-day schedule. Spread the loveThis term refers to the grouping of students by mental capability, aptitude, or hobbies. Sports schedules are easier to manage. Read the Full Transcript Judy Woodruff: For many American students and. Another is that shorter days could lead to shorter attention spans in classrooms. NOTE : The information on this website is for general information purposes only. The pros and cons of a 4-day school week offer many challenges. remediating them begin to take a bite out of the budget. Spread the loveWe all have our heroes. Most schools, when Year Round Schooling: Should it Be Implemented? 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 . But just because the final bell rang doesnt mean that youre done. Students usually go to school about 6 hours each day in most districts. Teachers would be required to reimagine their curriculum and would need extra time to develop a curriculum to fit an expanded day. Moving to the 4-day schedule shifts student movement patterns, reducing the number of lost transition minutes. 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. Your typical school week: Monday-Friday with the hours sometime between 7 am- 4 pm. The Chattooga County School District reported similar results from their trial with this schedule as well. It provides a realistic way for schools to remain open and also has added benefits beyond saving money. schedule, the district adds 40 or so minutes to make up for the time lost on When a school opts to go with an early start time, then students are spending less time sitting in traffic as they head to class. Pros and Cons of the Four-Day Week Proponents of four-day school weeks say that even though cost savings are minimal, they are achieved. If so, keep reading. Overall, a shorter school schedule resulted in a 7% increase in math scores and a 3% gain in reading. One is that it would likely mean that teachers would have to teach more classes, which could lead to burnout. Many school This provided the teacher with more freedom with curriculum and time management. Shorter school weeks or longer school days are reasonable solutions when there is a shortage of funding, or possible budget cuts coming to the school district. According to the vast majority of states, spanking your child is against the law. It also means that certain holiday vacations, such as Thanksgiving, are extended to a full week, and that can be a scheduling concern for many families. The article Should School Stay Earlier? 1. If young kids are too weary to concentrate or perform well in class, they may experience weariness or fall asleep during class time. Shortening the school day by even an hour or two can allow a district to save dramatically on its utility costs. Although sleep is a huge and major part, it is not the only part. districts think they will save tons of money by cutting operational costs on Pro: Education is a priority, and funding should not hold back efforts to provide more effective academic preparation for students. In 1095or in 1905, depending on your sourcesRoberto Nevelis of Venice, Italy, is often credited with inventing the concept of homework. That also means some families, with children who are old enough, can eliminate daycare expenses completely with this type of scheduling option. First and foremost, an extended school day would provide students with extra learning time. If so, keep reading. Not only would this give everyone a 3-day weekend to enjoy, it would also limit the pressure on students and teachers to have a diversified learning experience in a compressed time period. Many of these schools are already operating on an alternative schedule because that is what works best for their community. Five-day schools still have the edge in many districts Despite the fact that many districts have seen their test scores make a substantial leap, there are some five-day schools that are still outpacing them academically. 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. 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. Many break times have been incorporated in the calendar, such as morning recess, afternoon recess, snack time, and so on. Black Boys in Crisis: Why Arent They Reading? That reduces the effective time they would have for homework once they actually make it home. Data from the National Association of Year-Round Education . Underperforming schools and the lagging performance of U.S. students in comparison to other countries is a concern. 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. 4-day school weeks add Spread the loveAre you looking for strategies to encourage students to take care of their personal property? Shorter class durations allow students to enroll in a variety of courses. Spread the loveAfrican Africans have a long history of being mistreated in the United States, starting with slavery. 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. This means students in a district with this alternative schedule get out later for the holidays than students on the traditional Monday-Friday schedule. 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. Revisiting Using Edtech for Bullying and Suicide Prevention. There are potential savings to food programs and other important areas of infrastructure because the school district is closed 1 additional day each week. A three-day weekend allows for extra leisure time, as well as a reduction in commute and energy usage. 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. Long school days, on the other hand, can present some challenges and, at the very least, unsatisfactory outcomes. Spread the loveThis program assesses 15-year-old students schooling in countries that form part of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. This got me thinking about the pros and cons of longer vs. shorter trips. Con: A lengthened school day may impede upon extracurricular activities, especially in secondary education. They may also experience irritability and fatigue. Shorter school days should be used in the United States education system since they have several advantages. Four day school weeks have been discussed by many schools, and some schools already have them. 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. It is a program for mostly rural and small school districts. This may not seem like a lot, but when you factor in homework and after-school activities, it can be a lot for a student to handle. diesel sterndrive packages for sale, vortec 4200 forged pistons,