It’s been over two years since I’ve written about the 4-Day School Week. As we’ve discussed before (see here and here and here), shifting to a four-day week is a popular trend that has been sweeping the country.
It’s important to note, however, that this change still primarily reflects local preferences rather than reputable research, and it seems to focus more on the perceived benefits rather than on improving student learning. I discussed this in detail (with references) in the February 16, 2022 post.
So what’s the latest on this trend?
EdSurge just posted a fascinating summary that delves deeply into what’s happening with these movements across the country. While the policy has proven popular and does appear to have helped some districts retain staff, the studies reveal mixed effects on student achievement. And many experts say that increasing teacher pay is a much more effective solution than shortening the school week. The article also highlighted a number of other important factors that schools should consider if they’re thinking about switching to a four-day week.