Introduction
Have you ever wished that the school week could be shorter, even by a day? Some U.S states such as Colorado, Idaho, Montana, and many other rural states in the Midwest have started to implement and adapt to 4 day school weeks, which usually last from Monday through Thursday with a few lasting through Tuesday to Friday. But why exactly are schools doing this and how will it impact education and learning?
Why Some Schools are Making This Change
Some rural U.S states in the Midwest are switching to 4 day school weeks mainly to cut costs due to school budgeting and money issues, and also because the number of teachers and staff are declining. Another reason why schools are making this change is because a 4 day school week means a 3 day weekend instead of a 2 day weekend. This gives students and teachers a better work-life balance between school and their lives outside of school. It also gives students and teachers more time to spend with their family and friends. According to online resources, it can also reduce the amount of bullying and can improve younger students’ sleep. Also, 4 day school weeks can attract the attention of future teachers who are battling in a competitive job market. This has led to an increase in job applications for people who want to apply as a teacher or staff member.
How it Originated
4 day school weeks originated and were created in South Dakota in the 1930s to help reduce the cost of transportation, food, and utility costs. They also appeared again in New Mexico in the 1970s due to an energy crisis which lasted from 1973-1974. 4 day school weeks then reappeared during the great recession in 2008. Since then, 4 day school weeks have gained popularity in rural areas of the United States due to other issues like long school bus routes, and most recently 4 day school weeks are being used to try and hire and recruit new teachers due to staff shortages.
Positives
4 day school weeks have many positive and negative effects. The positives offer many benefits like cost savings, improved student attendance and more teachers being hired. This is also a good thing for many schools in rural areas because it can give schools a little more time to save on transportation costs, which can benefit students who need to travel a far distance to get to school. Students are able to spend more time with their family and friends outside of school because they have a 3 day weekend instead of the traditional 2 day weekend. Students also have more time to rest and participate in more activities that don’t involve school. Studies show that this can lead to better attendance and grades. 4 day school weeks can also benefit teachers because it gives them more time to plan lessons and grade assignments and tests. This can lead to higher job satisfaction for teachers which can improve performance in the classroom.
Negatives
Since the school week is now 4 days instead of 5, this leads to longer school days. The average school day in America lasts for around 6 in a half hours, but it could now last around 7 in a half to 8 hours for schools that have implemented the 4 day school week schedule. These longer school days can affect students, especially younger ones in elementary school. 4 day school weeks can also be a challenge for students whose families don’t have a lot of money. Families facing these problems will find it difficult to find an affordable, fun program for their kids to do during the 5th weekday while the parents are working hard to earn money. Another issue is for families who face food insecurity. If kids don’t go to school, they might not eat a sufficient meal during the day. One final problem with 4 day school weeks, is that if students stay after school for sports or clubs, limited transportation like buses, could affect their way of getting home from school if their parents aren’t able to pick them up afterwards.
