The Pros and Cons of 4-Day School Weeks for Parents

More school districts in the U.S. are adopting four-day school weeks, citing cost savings and advantages for teacher recruitment. However, parents are facing challenges in arranging childcare for the extra weekday, especially for younger children and those with disabilities. While surveys show overall parental approval, support wanes among those with younger children. Some studies suggest that the academic impact of the shortened schedule is murky, with potential negative effects on test scores and academic progress. Despite concerns, districts continue to adopt the four-day week, leading to questions about its long-term effectiveness as a recruitment strategy.