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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I think schools should actually look at peer- reviewed research and data on what schedules promote (get ready!) the best learning.

Young kids need consistency, repetition and routine. They do not need a different schedule every week between early release and a billion holidays. I don’t know what makes the most pedagogical sense at the middle and high school levels but I bet the data exists.

Be guided by the idea that the job of the school is to educate children, and then set the schedule from there, while sharing the data with parents so you can start rebuilding the trust thats been lost by lying in 2024 about why the schedule “needed” to change. [/quote]

Agreed and this is what all the "school isn't childcare" people are missing. School isn't able to effectively teach with 4 day weeks. [/quote]

Yes and no.

Here are some key evidence-based findings comparing the four-day school week (4DSW) to the traditional five-day school week (5DSW). These are comparing schools that ALWAYS have 4DSWs, not occasional 4DSWs, of course:

Academic Performance
Mixed results: Studies show that students in 4DSW districts often perform slightly worse on standardized tests in English Language Arts and Math compared to their 5DSW peers.

Colorado study: In 11 out of 12 test comparisons, 5DSW schools had higher mean scores than 4DSW schools, though only one showed a statistically significant difference.

Instructional time: 4DSW schools typically have longer days but fewer total instructional hours across the year, which may contribute to lower academic outcomes.

Family and Student Satisfaction
Positive feedback: Families and students often appreciate the extra day off for rest, family time, or extracurricular activities. Many report high satisfaction with the 4DSW model.

More free time: Students in grades K–6 and 7–12 reported having 4 and 3.5 more hours of free time per week, respectively, compared to those in 5DSW schools.

Implementation Trends
Rural adoption: The 4DSW is most popular in small, rural districts facing teacher shortages and budget constraints3.

Growing popularity: Over 2,100 public schools in 26 states have adopted the 4DSW, with rapid expansion in states like Texas.

Bottom Line
The 4DSW may offer logistical and lifestyle benefits, but academic outcomes tend to be slightly weaker. Districts should weigh local priorities—such as teacher retention, community satisfaction, and budget flexibility—against potential impacts on student learning.
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