Should schools adopt four days of weeks?
For many of us, like a four -day school weeks, our daily reality looks like a scenario. And the same can be said in the four -day work weeks before the Coid -19 crisis. However, in 2024, more than 22 % of employees said their employer gives them a four -day work option, according to a US survey in APA work. So, does this mean that the educational system card has a less week? The truth is that this system has been there for a long time. In 2019, about 1600 schools were implemented, while the number increased to 2100 schools in 2024. In this article, we will discuss what is involved in the transfer of a short week of school, as well as the benefits and challenges that have been revealed by various research and studies so far.
How does a four -day school week work?
Weekly schedule can be different from school in school, as there is no definite way to transfer a short four -day one to the traditional five -day week. However, the basic principle is that students and teachers need to stay in school for a short day a week. Generally, the day is a holiday Monday or Friday, to give students and teachers more free time to work on their personal and professional development, relax and spend more time with their friends and family. The day the “lost” is usually balanced by extending the rest of the day, though some schools choose to maintain the same school time despite a day’s cut.
Benefits of transfer in four -day school week
Easy recruitment of teachers
The last few years have been difficult for teachers. The survey has reduced enthusiasm for low salaries and pandemic diseases, as 78 % of the respondents in the survey have stated. However, offering more flexible schedules is effective in attracting and maintaining teachers as it reduces their travel time and costs, which gives them more time planning their classes. More importantly, four -day weekly schools have received requests from more eligible candidates.
Cost effectiveness
One of the major benefits of moving in the week of five to four days is the lower school district costs. A shorter day a week means a lesser day for students to transport, eat and pay overall tasks. For example, when the Pyblo County School District 70 in Colorado adopted a four -day school week, he reported 2 % of the district budget. Although it does not seem important, its quantity is 1 1.1 million, which can be used for other important purposes.
More free time for students and teachers
The more finished time has a short school week’s immediate effect. This, this, includes an additional free time every week to spend, work, or participate in sports programs with his family and friends, with his family and friends. Teachers’ they, the extra time they save, provide them with more flexibility to run, make personal appointments and spend standard time with their loved ones. This can improve the balance of work life and therefore decrease and decrease in precision absence.
Low matters of bullying
A very positive impact that has been noted in schools that has adopted a four -day week is a lack of bullying and fighting incidents. Statistics are particularly encouraging, as in this 2019 study, co -schools have reported 39 % reduction in bullying and 31 % in fighting. This study did not provide special insights about the reasons behind this positive effect, though it is important to point out that there was no significant effect on the Act score or students’ attendance.
Challenges to keep in mind
Possible inequality
It also has a four -day school week. Although some parents see the short schedule as they allow more time with their children, two working parents can struggle to meet the additional costs of children’s care. Not mentioning the negative effects of a short -day at school will face food insecurity. Such matters need to be seriously considered before deciding to transfer to a short schedule.
Long days of school
As mentioned earlier, to remove their weekly schedule one day, most schools must extend the remaining four days of school hours. It can increase two hours a day or every teaching time to 10-15 minutes. This increase can be a challenge challenge of underage students, which usually focuses on focus, as well as students who are neurodeversion or have other difficulties in learning. Although it may be more likely to be countered throughout the day, it has become a problem that needs to be calculated.
There is no proven positive effect on learning
Studies about the effects of four -day school weeks on learning performance provide mixed results, most of them also have small improvements or even negative effects. However, it is important to note that the lowest score is seen in schools that last less than 30 hours a week. Schools running for 32 hours or more have no negative effect. Another study has revealed that the success of students in schools for four days increased gradually more gradually than five days of weeks.
Reservations for the future
If we conclude the results of the various surveys on the effects and effects of the four -day school weeks in recent years, we will find that there is no clear consensus. Although the retention of teachers and the satisfaction of students is a positive connection, data does not show any significant impact on cost savings and students’ performance. It is possible that this school model requires additional filtration and regulation to be effective in most schools.
However, it seems that it is doing much better in the countryside. Survey data shows that 84 % of parents and 95 % of students in school districts will prefer to retain this schedule instead of returning in the traditional five days of traditional five days. The impact of the move in these areas shows that the four -day school must seek additional support from the society for the week. This may include amending the parental schedules or offering children to care for care. Overall, the movement is gaining traction around the world, such as countries such as the United States, France, Iceland, and Japan. Make sure to carefully test a short -week profession and adaptation of the school and make the necessary adjustments to meet the needs of both students and staff.
