Should Schools Adopt Four-Day Weeks?
For many of us, four-day school weeks sound like a scenario far from our everyday reality. And prior to the COVID-19 crisis, the same could be said about four-day work weeks. However, in 2024, as many as 22% of employees stated their employer provides them with a four-day work week option, according to APA’s Work in America survey. So, does that mean that a reduced week is in the cards for the educational system as well? The truth is that this system has existed for a long time now. In 2019, almost 1600 schools had implemented it, while this number has risen to 2100 schools in 2024. In this article, we will discuss what is involved in the transition to a shorter school week, as well as the benefits and challenges that various research and studies have revealed so far.
How Does A Four-Day School Week Work?
The weekly schedule can look different from school to school, as there is no fixed way to make the transition from the traditional five-day week to the shortened four-day one. The main principle, however, is that students and teachers need to be in school one less day in the week. Usually, the day off is Monday or Friday, to give students and teachers more free time to work on their personal and professional development, rest, and spend more time with their friends and family. The day that is “lost” is typically balanced by extending the remaining days, although some schools choose to maintain the same school hours, despite cutting a day.
Advantages Of Transitioning To A Four-Day School Week
Easier Recruitment Of Teachers
The last few years have been difficult for teachers. Low salaries and challenges related to the pandemic have diminished their enthusiasm for the job, as noted by 78% of respondents in this survey. However, offering a more flexible schedule seems to be effective in attracting and retaining teachers since it reduces their commuting time and expenses, giving them more time to plan their classes. More importantly, schools with a four-day week received applications from more qualified candidates.
Cost-Effectiveness
One of the main benefits of shifting from a five to a four-day week is reduced expenses for the school district. One less day of school a week means one less day of paying for student transportation, meals, and overall operations. For example, when the Pueblo County School District 70 in Colorado adopted a four-day school week, they saved a reported 2% from the district budget. While this may not seem significant, it amounts to $1.1 million that can be used for other important purposes.
More Free Time For Students And Educators
More free time is an immediate effect of a shorter school week. For students, this entails as many as four hours of extra free time per week to spend with their families and friends, do chores, or attend sporting events without missing class. For teachers, the extra time they save provides them with more flexibility to run errands, make personal appointments, and spend quality time with their loved ones. This can lead to improved work-life balance and, therefore, decreased burnout and fewer health-related absences.
Fewer Cases Of Bullying
A very positive effect that has been noted in schools that have adopted a four-day week is a decrease in incidents of bullying and fighting. The data is particularly encouraging, as in this 2019 study, the participating schools reported a decrease of 39% in bullying incidents and 31% in fighting. This study didn’t provide particular insight into the reasons behind this positive effect, although it is important to mention that no particular effect was observed on ACT scores or student attendance.
Challenges To Keep In Mind
Potential Inequalities
A four-day school week also has its drawbacks. While some parents view the shorter schedule favorably because it allows them more time with their kids, low-income families with two working parents may struggle to cover the additional childcare costs. Not to mention the negative impact that one less day in school will have on children experiencing food insecurity. Such issues need to be taken into serious consideration before deciding to transition to a shorter schedule.
Longer School Days
As mentioned earlier, to remove a day from their weekly schedule, most schools must elongate the school hours of the remaining four days. That can add up to two hours to each day or 10–15 minutes to each teaching hour. This increase might be challenging for younger students, who typically have shorter attention spans, as well as students who are neurodivergent or have other learning difficulties. While this may be counteracted with more breaks throughout the day, it remains an issue that needs to be accounted for.
No Proven Positive Effect On Learning
Studies on the effects of four-day school weeks on learner performance present mixed results, with most of them finding small improvements or even negative effects. It is important to note, however, that the lowest scores are observed in schools that operate for less than 30 hours a week. There was no negative impact on schools operating for 32 hours or longer. Another study revealed that student achievement grew more slowly in schools with four-day weeks compared to those with five-day weeks.
Considerations For The Future
If we conclude the results of the various surveys conducted in recent years about the impact and effectiveness of four-day school weeks, we will notice that there is no clear consensus. While there is a positive correlation with teacher retention and student satisfaction, the data doesn’t reveal a significant impact on cost savings and student performance. It may be possible that this school model requires additional refinement and regulation to be effective in the majority of schools.
However, it seems to be working quite well in rural areas. Survey data have shown that 84% of parents and 95% of students in school districts with shorter weeks would prefer to maintain this schedule instead of returning to a traditional five-day week. The effectiveness of this initiative in these areas suggests that having additional support from the community is essential for a four-day school week to succeed. That could involve modifying parents’ work schedules or offering childcare support. Overall, this movement is gaining traction worldwide, with countries such as the USA, France, Iceland, and Japan implementing it in certain districts. Make sure to carefully examine the pros and cons of a shorter school week and make the necessary adjustments to meet the needs of both students and staff.
