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

More school districts in the US 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 some parents approve of the shortened schedule, support wanes among those with younger children. The academic impact of the four-day week is still unclear, with some studies showing no negative effect on test scores if the other four school days are lengthened. However, concerns have been raised about students not making up the academic ground lost during the pandemic. Despite potential benefits, the adoption of four-day weeks should not come at the expense of the community or families of the district.