In a growing trend, over half of U.S. states have adopted a four-day school week to attract and retain teachers, with more schools joining each year. This shift aims to address teacher shortages, particularly in rural areas, by offering a better work-life balance.
Impact on Students and Families
At Martensdale-St. Marys near Des Moines, Iowa, the four-day schedule is now in its second year. Students like eighth-grader Tucker Dooley appreciate the extra day off, using it for activities like sports and biking. “I like it ’cause we have our Mondays off, and it just feels like we get a whole different break,” Tucker said.
Parents, too, have noticed benefits. Aria Biondi, who has three children in the district, remarked, “I think it was a great change for us. Like, Mondays they could study if they needed to. More time with family, which was great.”
Financial and Behavioral Benefits
Over 2,100 public schools across 26 states have adopted the four-day schedule. This change can save districts 1-3% of their budgets, mainly in transportation, substitute teachers, and food services. The primary motivation, however, is teacher recruitment and retention. William Watson, superintendent at Martensdale-St. Marys, initially skeptical, now sees the benefits: all teaching positions are filled, and student behavior has improved with less bullying and fighting.
Molly Fritz, a master teacher at Saydel Community School District, noted, “I think that was the biggest, like, shock to all of us is how much better behaviors were.” She observed a significant drop in behavior-related calls to the office, attributing it to more patient and calm teachers after the extra day off.
Concerns and Challenges
Despite the advantages, not everyone is convinced. Heather Peske, president of the National Council on Teacher Quality, warned, “Students usually pay the price, and learning losses are more common than gains in student learning.” Childcare on the day off is another potential issue. Jon Turner, a Missouri State professor, found that while districts often anticipate childcare problems, families typically adjust by Thanksgiving.
Some parents, like Eric Sentell, oppose the shift. His son attends Missouri’s Clearwater School District, which considered but ultimately rejected the change. Sentell expressed concern, “Our main concern was, are our kids going to learn what they should learn, or are they going to keep up with their peers at five-day schools?”
Despite some pushback, the interest in four-day school weeks continues to grow as districts weigh the pros and cons of this evolving educational landscape.
