Traditionally, public and private schools across America have enforced five-day school weeks but recently, the popularity of four-day school weeks has been on the rise.
A four-day school week offers an alternative to the typical five-day school week.
Alternative scheduling includes schooling Monday through Thursday or Tuesday through Friday. Although the overall school week is reduced, the length of school days increases.
Four-day school weeks are more abundant in rural areas.
A little under one thousand districts in the United States have dropped a day off of the five-day school week. Districts are located in states such as New Mexico, Oregon, Texas.
States have started to shy away from the traditional school week due to staff shortages and funding restrictions.
By shortening the school week, schools can save money up to 5.43%, but the typical saving rate of these schools is between 0.4% to 2.5%.
Many different categories save money, including transportation, food services, school administration, and maintenance.
Along with saving money, four-day school weeks have been able to increase the number of staff members.
According to a poll conducted by the EdWeek Research Center, two-thirds of school staff members said they would be either slightly or much more willing to accept a position working in a district with four-day school weeks.
There are several reasons why teachers may be enticed to accept a position working four days a week rather than five. A teacher working a shorter week can result in a more balanced work and home life. Teachers will have more time for grading and lesson planning because they have an extra day. This can improve overall job performance.
Many argue that the most important benefit is that teachers do not see a reduction in their pay and benefits. Some believe that salaries decrease by one-fifth, but that is false. Since teachers are still working the same hours, they receive the same pay and benefits as those working in five-day school districts.
Teachers are not the only people who favor four-day school weeks. Parents, as well as students, are big fans of shortened school weeks.
89% of parents say that they were mostly or very satisfied with their children attending school for only four days. Additionally, 94% of students say that they mostly or really like their shortened schedule.
With a longer weekend, students have shown improved attendance. Having more time to sleep, study, and catch up on schoolwork allows students to engage more in class resulting in better academic performance.
An extra day added to the weekend also allows students to focus on mental health. Students can relax and spend time on activities they enjoy more easily.
Although there are several benefits to a shortened school week, some families may find it difficult to find and afford childcare on the day students are out of school.
Leesville students were asked their opinion on moving to a four-day school week if it meant longer school days.
“I feel like having an asynchronous day or a day fully away from school would be very beneficial,” said Ellis Nani, senior.
Adding his viewpoint, Kyle Lange, junior, said, “I think five days is too long and having four days would be beneficial.”
Just like the students from the EdWeek Research Center, Leesville students believe that four-day school weeks have more pros than cons.
“It [a day off of school] would be very beneficial not only for mental health, but for students who struggle with academics,” said Nani.
Lange, agreeing with Nani, states other benefits of a longer weekend.
“A longer weekend would give us [students] more time to do homework. It would also give us more time to focus on jobs,” said Lange.
However, Leesville students believe there would be one downside if a day was dropped off of the traditional school week.
“The day would be longer which would probably mean more schoolwork,” said Lange.
Overall, Wake County is a wealthy school district with an annual budget of over $1.5 billion.
The chances of Leesville moving to four-day school weeks is basically zero because Wake County does not need to save money.
It is fun to imagine what it would be like having three-day weekends, but for now, Wake County is going to stick to what they know – traditional five-day school weeks.
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