How Long Is Long Enough? New Law Permits Shorter School Week

by Lesley Misko

Now taking effect, a new state law passed at the beginning of 2024, has the potential to change both public education and household time management. The law gives Pennsylvania public schools a choice between four- day or five-day school weeks.

Under the new law, schools can complete the school year with a minimum of 180 days or 990 hours of instruction for secondary schools and 900 for elementary schools. While a new option in Pennsylvania, the four-day school week has already been adopted by school districts in several western states like Colorado and Oklahoma. The plan seems to have greater appeal in more rural locations.

Supporters of the four-day school week point to several perceived benefits, including:

• Saving Money: Schools can save on transportation, food, and energy costs by reducing the number of school days. This can be especially important in rural districts where students travel long distances to school. (It may be worth noting that the 100 square miles size of the Boyertown Area School District creates substantial busing for some students.)

• Increased Teacher Hiring Success and Better Morale: The promise of a third day off each week can help recruit and retain teachers, contributing to a more satisfied and engaged workforce.

• Better Student Attendance: Some studies suggest that a longer weekend allows students more time to rest and engage in extracurricular activities, potentially leading to better attendance and academic performance during the school week.

• Diminishing Stress: According to feedback from Bishop McCort Catholic High School, located in Johnstown. PA, the additional day off gives students "more time to relax, study, and enjoy activities, contributing to a more balanced lifestyle​." In this instance, the school does interact with the students on their extra day off, but it is of an enrichment and supplemental nature. Schools would not be required to do this.

According to Newsbreak.com, the four-day week will “allow schools to accommodate weather conditions, student apprenticeships, internships, and career and technical education programs.”

Other educators are critical of the concept. Among other problems, they point to:

• Challenge of Longer School Days: The longer days are likely to be challenging for elementary students, leading to increased restlessness, tiredness, and inability to pay attention.

• Childcare Issues: With childcare costs already bankrupting families, it likely will be difficult to find affordable, quality care arrangements for the extra day off from school.

• Food Insecurity: Many students across the state rely on school provided breakfasts and lunches to receive adequate nutrition. Those meals would be missing on a third day each week.

• Academic Results Are Uncertain: Some studies suggest improved outcomes, while others indicate little difference and some report negative results in academic performance with four-day school weeks. According to analysis done by the publication Education Next, “Students earn lower math and reading scores on standardized tests following their transition to a four-day school schedule.”

Thus far no public-school districts in Pennsylvania have implemented a four-day school week, but the flexibility offered by the new law could encourage schools to explore this option.

[ Help in compiling information from ChatGPT.]

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