All around the world, societies, and governments are discussing the introduction of the 4 day work week. Multiple studies have shown that worker happiness, productivity, and work satisfaction all increase, and all of these factors have a direct impact on profits in a positive way. Some schools and companies have implemented a 30 to 32-hour workweek or a ten-hour shift for four days a week. The 4-day or 32-hour workweek is so popular in mainstream discourse that even rural areas and rural businesses are changing the way they operate. This is great news but what about the schools, particularly k through 12th grade? Also, how about families that call on several billions of people a year to attend 6 to 8 hours a week, 5 days a week?

A Four-Day School Week may be here to stay

The creation of the four-day school week came several years after the introduction of the idea of the four-day workweek. It makes complete and total sense why our students should shift to a four-day school week. However, unlike the four-day work week, the four-day school schedule has a few issues and kinks that must be worked out before it’s taken into consideration and implemented Nationwide.

How many people are doing A Four-Day-Week?

So far, there are about 25 states that have multiple District seasons in the four-day school week. While it is still in the experimental stages, this does give researchers and education program developers a wealth of data points and results that will be used to improve the school week programs. We are noticing districts that have about the four-day school week continue to hit the appropriate educational benchmarks. The 4 day school week allows kids to have more free time and even improve their school start times. Many districts want to make sure that students hit the educational markers and benchmarks for their grades. Talking away one day a week from the school system requires a shift in curriculum, tailored to a shorter amount of time. We know, 4 days of school weeks were found to improve the grades and competencies in math for elementary students (Georgia State News Hub, 2019).

 Will having a 4-day week save schools money?

One of the biggest unseen reasons for having a four-day school week is the cost of upkeep in a brick-and-mortar school. With one day of classes no longer running each week, the cost of janitors, School cleaning, breakfast and lunches, electricity and water, and building maintenance drops significantly. Many schools that have the four-day school week operating in their District have decided to use the extra day to enrich students' lives and teacher careers without a curriculum or lesson-based plan. Some school districts allow teachers use this time for Professional Developmental. While other districts arrange school competitions, clubs and activities, and assessments to help the student body (Kilburn, M. Rebecca, et al. 2021).

 References

 “Four-Day School Week Can Improve Academic Performance, Policy Study Finds - Georgia State University News - University Research.” Georgia State News Hub, 23 May 2019, https://news.gsu.edu/2015/08/27/four-day-school-week-can-improve-academic-performance-policy-study-finds/.

 Kilburn, M. Rebecca, et al. “Benefits and Drawbacks of the Four-Day School Week.” RAND Corporation, 7 Oct. 2021, https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_briefs/RBA373-1.html.

 Elizabeth Mulvahill on June 19, 2019 {IMAGE}.contest-social .share-links svg. (2019, June 20). 25 states are testing 4-day school weeks-will yours be next? WeAreTeachers. Retrieved December 2, 2021, from https://www.weareteachers.com/4-day-school-weeks/.