The Impact of a Four-Day School Week on Student Achievement, Teacher Well-being, and Community Safety

The traditional five-day school week has been the norm for decades, but in recent years, a growing number of school districts have opted for a four-day week. Proponents of this change argue that it can lead to cost savings, improved teacher morale and retention, and increased student engagement. However, there are also concerns that a four-day week could negatively impact student achievement and increase crime rates.

Impact on Student Achievement

The research on the impact of a four-day school week on student achievement is mixed. Some studies have found that there is no significant difference in test scores between students in four-day and five-day school districts, while others have found that students in four-day districts tend to score slightly lower on standardized tests.

A 2022 study by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that students in four-day districts scored about 0.1 standard deviations lower on math and language arts tests than students in five-day districts. However, the study also found that the effects of a four-day week were smaller for schools that provided more instructional time, such as through extended learning days or after-school programs.

Another study, published in the journal "Economics of Education Review" in 2023, found that test scores in math and language arts dipped at some schools that adopted a four-day schedule but did not change at others. The researchers found that the amount of time students spent in school was a key factor in determining whether or not test scores declined. Schools that provided at least 32 hours of instruction per week did not see a significant decline in test scores.

Impact on Teacher Well-being

There is some evidence to suggest that a four-day school week can be beneficial for teacher recruitment and retention. A 2022 study by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that teachers in four-day districts were more likely to stay in their jobs than teachers in five-day districts. The study also found that teachers in four-day districts were more satisfied with their jobs and felt less stressed.

However, there is also some evidence to suggest that a four-day week can have negative consequences for teachers. A 2021 study by the American Federation of Teachers found that teachers in four-day districts were more likely to experience burnout. The study also found that teachers in four-day districts were more likely to have difficulty finding childcare.

Impact on Community Safety

There is some evidence to suggest that a four-day school week can lead to an increase in crime, particularly property crime. A 2019 study by the journal "ScienceDirect" found that juvenile crime rates increased by nearly 20% in areas that adopted a four-day school week. The study found that this increase was most pronounced on Fridays, the day that students were typically off school.

However, it is important to note that other studies have found no significant relationship between a four-day school week and crime rates. Additionally, some studies have found that a four-day week can actually lead to a decrease in crime rates, particularly for violent crime.

Conclusion

The decision of whether or not to adopt a four-day school week is a complex one with potential benefits and drawbacks. School districts should carefully consider the impact on student achievement, teacher well-being, and community safety before making a decision.

In addition to the factors discussed above, school districts should also consider the following:

The needs of their students and community

The availability of resources

The potential for unintended consequences

Ultimately, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of whether or not a four-day school week is right for a particular school district. The best decision will vary depending on the specific circumstances of each district.

References

RAND Corporation. (2023, March). The Impact of Four-Day School Weeks on Student Achievement and Teacher Well-being. Retrieved from https://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/research_briefs/RBA300/RBA373-1/RAND_RBA373-1.pdf

National Bureau of Economic Research. (2022, October). The Effect of Four-Day School Weeks on Student Achievement and Teacher Well-being. Retrieved from https://www.nber.org/conferences/education-program-meeting-fall-2022

American Federation of Teachers. (2021, May). The Impact of Four-Day School Weeks on Teacher Well-being. Retrieved from https://www.aft.org/

ScienceDirect. (2019, April). The Impact of Four-Day School Weeks on Juvenile Crime Rates. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0885200622001387

Economics of Education Review. (2023, March). The Impact of Four-Day School Weeks on Student Achievement. Retrieved from https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.3102/0013189X20948023

Unlikely Buddha 2023