I must be completely out of the loop, because I didn't realize this was a thing. But, apparently, this is an increasingly popular program in rural parts of the country, which cite low public education budgets as the motivation for the switch. Maybe there's something particular about these communities that makes it a good idea, but it seems hugely disruptive to me, and largely a symptom of underfunded public education. Brookings has a primer for those who aren't familiar with this phenomenon.
In Colorado, for instance, over 50% of school districts have moved to a 4-day week schedule (link). It's an especially popular program in the Mountain West, with 43+ districts in Idaho, 30+ in Oregon, and half of Montana. But it's spreading quickly. NCSL claims that 21 states now have districts operating on a 4-day week schedule. (Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Wisconsin and Wyoming)
Maybe some folks here live in districts that have already done this or are considering the change? I'm curious what you think. This is an older Gallup poll, but the view of 4-day school weeks among Americans is decidedly negative. Again, though, maybe there's something particular about these rural areas that makes it a more appealing idea in certain parts of the country.
In Colorado, for instance, over 50% of school districts have moved to a 4-day week schedule (link). It's an especially popular program in the Mountain West, with 43+ districts in Idaho, 30+ in Oregon, and half of Montana. But it's spreading quickly. NCSL claims that 21 states now have districts operating on a 4-day week schedule. (Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Wisconsin and Wyoming)
- The change increases costs for many families. Unless your household has a stay-at-home parent, you'll need to arrange for daycare on their Friday off, since the typical adult work schedule remains 5+ days per week. And very poor families will need to budget for replacing the school-provided breakfast and lunch that will no longer be supplied.
- The promise that this schedule will save the schools a significant amount of money has been disproven (link). Actual cost savings have ranged from 0-2.5%, a far cry from the 20% reduction that was promised. As noted above, these costs are shifted onto families.
- To offset the loss of Friday, school days are longer from Monday to Thursday, which many have suggested is a negative change, especially with younger children. Although teachers still have meetings on Fridays, there are no formal classes, and they tend to view the change favorably. And stay-at-home parents are happy they can run errands, take their kid to the doctor more easily, and enjoy a host of other practical benefits from having their child home on Fridays. Most of these conveniences seem to be adult-oriented rather than focused on the child, however.
- It's too early to assess any academic impact from this change, although some parts of (largely rural) Europe use a similar model.
Maybe some folks here live in districts that have already done this or are considering the change? I'm curious what you think. This is an older Gallup poll, but the view of 4-day school weeks among Americans is decidedly negative. Again, though, maybe there's something particular about these rural areas that makes it a more appealing idea in certain parts of the country.
