The majority of the four-day districts conduct no classes on Friday. In 1980, the Colorado legislature allowed districts to pilot alternative weekly schedules.
Moving to a four-day school week also has many drawbacks. The first of which is that it shifts a financial burden to parents. Childcare for that extra day off can become a major financial burden for working parents. Parents of younger students, in particular, may be forced to pay for costly daycare services.
In recent years, as Colorado's economy has soured and drawn fewer people to the state, the program has continued to decline. Today, just 13 of the county's 119 schools - about 9,400 students out of a total county enrollment of 76,000 - are enrolled year-round. Next year the program will be eliminated entirely.
Students in four-day school weeks have standardized math and reading test scores that are substantially lower than students in five-day school weeks.
Aside from this perk, the 4-day school week may offer many other benefits to students and teachers alike: Improved mental health – More non-contact time could result in more time for self-care and relaxation.
Better Teacher and Student MoraleSome students feel the four-day school week provides an opportunity for extra rest and a less stressful environment. Being out of school one extra day per week allows students to relax or to be more productive.
What are the Pros and Cons of 4-Day School Weeks?
- Pros of the 4-day School Week.
- Adds flexibility to teacher's schedules.
- Increases student attendance.
- School districts save money.
- Easier to recruit employees.
- Cons of the 4-Day School Week.
- A potential decline in academic performance for vulnerable groups.
- Potential for juvenile crime to increase.
List of the Cons of 4-Day School Weeks
- It may encourage a decline in academic performance.
- It may cause juvenile crime to increase.
- It may not create an improvement in student grades.
- It does not always help school districts save money.
- It can create problems with the student's home schedule.
In Finland, children get a 15-minute break every 45 minutes.In Finland, school officials believe that less is more. According to the HuffPost, children attend school between 8 and 9 a.m. each day and finish around 1 to 2 p.m. For every 45 minutes of learning, the children get a 15-minute break.
States without Required Days
- Delaware: 1,060 hours (Kindergarten-11th Grade)
- Montana: 360 hours (Half-Day Kindergarten)
- Nebraska: 400 hours (Kindergarten)
- New Mexico: 450 hours (Half-Day Kindergarten)
- Oregon: 450 hours (Half-Day Kindergarten)
- Texas: 1,260 hours (all grades)
- Wisconsin: 437 hours (Kindergarten)
After all, when each day counts as 25% of the learning, students are less likely to miss a day. Looking forward to a three-day weekend each week leads to greater work-life balance for teachers, which leads to improved staff morale and a positive impact on what is taught in classrooms.
Of course, giving employees a three-day weekend isn't going to be a viable option for all businesses. But giving people greater flexibility could be the answer to a better work-life balance and reduced stress, as well as great productivity and motivation.
Compared to a 6 day week, you can say that a 5 day week keeps students fresher and more motivated to learn. Because they have two days off each week they do not get so bored of school. You can say that 5 days gives teachers more time to teach and allows students to have enough time to learn.
A three-day weekend provides more leisure time, reduces commuting and energy consumption. Although it would mean that essential services are closed on that additional day and working days would generally be longer to fit the usual five-day workload into four.
How did we land on 180 days? In the early days of American public education, schools ran like libraries—free classes were held, and children only attended when it was convenient. As American labor laws changed and child labor was outlawed, children were freed up to attend school more regularly.
From a financial perspective, research indicates that moving to a four-day workweek can reduce overhead and other costs to businesses. Employees not only take fewer sick days but are generally more productive. Thus, productivity per employee rises.
Weekends that last 3 days will take off stress and anxiety from everyone. 3 day weekends will help everyone be more ready for work, more time to do important assignments and most importantly more leisure time so we can enjoy oursleves.
- Cherry Creek High School. Cherry Creek School District, CO.
- Fairview High School. Boulder Valley School District, CO.
- D'Evelyn Junior/Senior High School. Jefferson County School District No.
- Peak to Peak Charter School.
- Rock Canyon High School.
- Grandview High School.
- Cheyenne Mountain High School.
- Boulder High School.
Summer break – Around 10–11 weeks, either from the end of May to early August, early June to Mid-August, or the end of June to the day after Labor Day in early September – depending on region and state.
- D'Evelyn Junior/Senior High School. Denver, CO.
- Stargate Charter School. Thornton, CO.
- Denver School of the Arts. Denver, CO.
- DSST: Stapleton High School. Denver, CO.
- KIPP Denver Collegiate High School. Denver, CO.
- DSST: Green Valley Ranch High School. Denver, CO.
- STEM School Highlands Ranch.
- Cherry Creek High School.
Of course, I realize that many people with 40-hour-a-week jobs take work home or work more than their 40 hours. But remember, again, that teachers' contracts aren't actually for 12 months a year. Contracts are usually for 39 weeks, or around 180 days.
Passing time is not specifically addressed in Education Code, but the Attendance Accounting Manual, published by the California Department of Education (CDE), allows a limited amount of passing time to be counted as part of the instructional minutes.
The school day in elementary and high schools can vary but usually runs from 8 am to 3 pm or 3.30 pm, with an hour for lunch. In high school, students take six one-hour classes or four 90-minute classes (with ten-minute breaks between classes). Extra-curricular activities and sports are scheduled after school hours.
DENVER (KDVR) — Denver Public Schools announced new start times for the fall calendar. New start times for most schools will be: 7:30 – 7:40 a.m. 8:05 – 8:25 a.m.
