Four-Day School Week Expands Across US
Across the United States, the four-day school week is spreading rapidly. Since 1999, the number of districts adopting this model has increased by 600 per cent, and today it is implemented in at least one school district in 24 states. Research shows that the savings achieved in school budgets through the four-day school week are limited, ranging from only 0.4 to 2.5 per cent annually. For low-income families, the model can lead to rising childcare costs and reduced access to free school meals, creating additional challenges. In response, some districts are introducing childcare services or community activities on the fifth day to help address these issues. The academic impact of the four-day school week remains unclear. While most studies indicate little difference in outcomes, experts emphasise that results are closely linked to high-quality teaching and well-structured curricula. On the other hand, this model appears to offer significant advantages when it comes to retaining teachers. A shorter working week gives teachers more time to fulfil family responsibilities and to focus on their personal needs.