According to a recent Washington Post survey, 292 school districts in the United States now have a four-day week, double the number just two years ago.
While that number comprises fewer than 2 percent of the 15,000 school districts nationally, the dramatic jump is a surprise to many. The motivation for the shorter week appears financial in almost all cases; as most Gov1 readers know, schools are facing budget cuts for myriad reasons, including the end of federal funds trickling down from TARP in 2009.
An example is Marion County, Florida, which has seen its budget shrink from $600 million to $478 million in just three years. Its 41,000 students will go to a four-day week next year.
There is limited research that demonstrates whether student achievement suffers when a day is lost, but most states have minimum instructional requirements that still need to be met.
Typically, savings are found in food, transportation and electricity, not to mention wages for bus drivers, food service employees, and others. While savings can be modest, they are often placed directly towards the hiring of teachers.
For students, classes have been lengthened and school days are longer.
Click here for the original coverage in the Washington Post
An overview of state adoption can be found courtesy the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Additional coverage from other cities can be found below:
- Missouri schools test four-day we (STLtoday.com)
- School Board approves four-day week for rural schools (Las Vegas Sun)
- Chattooga County (GA) four-day school week is a hit (Times Free Press)
- Pasco (FL) School Board rejects four-day school week (Tampa Bay Times)