Your Turn: Should Schools Cut Back to 4 Days a Week?

The story

This week, a Colorado school district announced that it would be cutting back to a four-day school week to save money.

The district estimates that it will save $1 million on transportation costs, teacher salaries, and utilities.

The school district made the decision after six failed attempts to raise needed funds through bond elections.

Background

The four-day school week is growing in popularity across the nation. An estimated 560 districts in 25 states have allowed at least some of their schools to adopt a four-day week.

In February, New Mexico placed a moratorium on the practice to give state leaders a chance to study its impact on student performance and working-class families.

Pros

Most school districts adopt a four-day week to save money. Research shows that the maximum possible cost savings is 5.43 percent, but average savings range from 0.4 to 2.5 percent.

Teachers' satisfaction seems to improve under the approach, which in turn helps districts that are struggling to recruit or retain teachers.

Though the results seem mixed, the method does seem to improve students' math scores, perhaps due to longer class sessions at the high school level. (Most school districts somewhat extend school days to make up for the lost day.)

Some school districts have reported improved attendance after switching to a four-day week.

Cons

The practice can complicate child-care arrangements for working parents. While the Colorado district plans to offer child care for $30 per child per weekday that school isn’t in session, that is likely to be more than some parents can afford.

Students may be left with more unsupervised time on their hands, which seems to lead to higher crime rates in some areas. Indeed, a recent study of the effects of four-day school weeks on juvenile crime indicated that property crimes, in particular, tend to increase roughly 20 percent in some areas.

Students who rely on school for meals could face added food insecurity, though that issue could be addressed by sending food home with students, as some schools now do on weekends.

What do you think?

Should more schools adopt a four-day week? Why or why not? Hit Take Action to tell your reps what you think, then share your thoughts below.

—Sara E. Murphy

(Photo Credit: iStock / DONGSEON_KIM)