Jayden Miller
English 12 CP
Mrs. Crabtree
3 April 2023
Four-Day School Week
There are many ways a four day school week has shown to be better for students and teachers than a five day school week; some examples include increased morale, less disciplinary referrals, and more effective teaching. The four day school week is a very effective way for schools to become better for teachers and students.
First of all, schools with four day school weeks do not have as many disciplinary problems with their students. One way this is shown is when Donis-Keller and Silvernail states, “[Some] of the most positive and ubiquitous findings in several studies and reports examining the four-day week has been in increased attendance for both teachers and students…
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In a bunch of surveys, some authors noted that teachers reported that they were able to give out more instruction on this schedule (Turner, et al 3). This is great because if the teachers are teaching more in the time that they are given, then that means that the students are actually paying attention which will help them learn more. Another example of this is when Donis-Keller and Silvernail explains, “Studies using surveys of teachers and students have found that other observed benefits include fewer class interruptions and distractions because of the lengthened day (and thus class periods) which leads to increasing the efficiency of instruction” (8). Whenever teachers have more efficient instruction, they teach the class more in a shorter amount of time, which just shows how beneficial the four day school week is. This is how teachers and students are using their time in school more effectively with the changed …show more content…
A study in New Mexico found that when they switched to the four day school week, their scores on standardized tests either increased or didn’t change. (Donis-Keller and Silvernail 7-8). If the scores on standardized tests are going up, this can only be a good thing because it shows that the students are actually wanting to learn and are getting more done in class. Another example is when a superintendent Chris Fine of Missouri stated the following after switching to a four day school week: “‘Our ACT scores are the best they’ve been in 10 years, and our teachers love it…’” (“Small, Rural Schools…”). The scores that students get on standardized tests are improving, which was the only thing that people were worried about whenever switching to the schedule. This just goes to show that the four day school week is actually a really good schedule and should be implemented into many schools that can use it effectively.
In summation, It is clear that a four day school day is very effective compared to a five day school day. It has been proven that the four day school week is the most effective way to make the most out of a school week. The American public school system would be so much more successful if they changed