The transition to a 4-day school week has been a topic of interest in various Washington State educational settings, particularly in rural or financially constrained districts. The academic outcomes of this shift are mixed and can vary depending on the specific context of the schools involved. Many parents are concerned about how this will affect their children’s educations, not the family budget.
Some of the statistics that we’ve gathered are as follows:
Neutral or Slightly Negative Impact on Academic Achievement
Several studies indicate that the shift to a 4-day school week generally does not significantly improve student achievement. Some research suggests there may be a slight decline in academic performance, particularly in subjects like math and reading. For example, a study published by the RAND Corporation found that students in 4-day school week districts in Oregon showed slightly lower math scores than their 5-day counterparts.
Another study in Colorado found minimal differences in academic achievement between students on a 4-day week and those on a traditional schedule, although some districts experienced slight declines.