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4-Day School Weeks Bring Unique Challenges for Working Parents
A growing trend among rural school districts is the shift from the conventional five-day school week to a four-day schedule. This means students spend longer hours in school each day, but they get a three-day weekend by having Fridays off. Proponents tout this approach as a way to save costs for schools, while also giving teachers more collaboration time and students increased opportunities for college prep or extracurricular activities.
The National Education Association suggests that a four-day week might help students feel more rested and engaged in class, potentially leading to fewer absences. For stay-at-home parents, the idea of having an extra weekday off can be appealing for scheduling doctor’s appointments or enjoying more family time.
However, this seemingly beneficial change poses significant challenges for many families—especially those with working parents. These families often find themselves in a scramble to afford extra daycare or in situations where their children are home alone before they’re ready. Additionally, there are families that depend on school lunch programs to feed their kids during the week. These programs are crucial for providing both breakfast and lunch.
Paul Hill, who co-authored a study on the four-day school week, found that the educational outcomes of this switch are largely inconclusive, and the cost-saving claims have often been debunked. Hill explained to the Atlantic that schools typically don’t save on teachers’ salaries since their contracts remain unchanged. While there may be some savings on bus routes and overhead, the longer hours mean schools may need to provide an additional meal, negating many financial benefits.
Hill identified two primary concerns in his research: first, younger students may struggle with longer school days, impacting their ability to focus and retain information; second, families with limited resources or dual-income households may face hardships when tasked with feeding and caring for children on that extra day off.
Anyone in a dual-income household can relate to the anxiety a four-day school week might cause. Most working parents already dread unexpected days off, like snow days. I’m fortunate that my partner works at our kids’ school, but I remember growing up in a much different environment.
Back then, when my father left, he didn’t pay child support, and my mother juggled two jobs. I attended an elementary school with a year-round schedule, which meant odd three-week breaks instead of a summer vacation. When my mom was working, I was left home alone during those breaks—a choice she didn’t want to make but had to. In today’s world, such a situation could lead to serious legal repercussions for neglect.
As I wrote this, I thought of families in similar predicaments today, scrambling to figure out care for their kids while trying to keep a roof over their heads. Ultimately, the advantages of a four-day week seem to cater more to adults than to children. While there may be some upsides, the burden falls heavily on struggling families.
Hill concluded his interview with the Atlantic by stating, “This is something that’s happening, nobody’s really evaluating it, nobody’s asking what should be the minimum required if somebody’s going to do it.” This perfectly captures the dilemma of the four-day week—appealing to those who can adapt, but often neglecting those who cannot.
For more insights on how to navigate parenting challenges, check out this informative piece on our site.
Summary
The shift to a four-day school week is gaining traction in rural areas, promising benefits like cost savings and more engagement for students. However, this change creates significant difficulties for working parents who may struggle with childcare and meal provisions. While it seems to benefit some families, the overall impact raises concerns about equity and the potential for increased hardships among lower-income households.