Just watching an MSNBC story about many school districts moving to a 4 day week. They never once mentioned whether the school day was extended. Therefore I assume it wasn't.
I'm sure this is good for teachers and popular with students. But kids need more classroom hours to be ready for 21st Century life.
@PoliTees I agree that 4 longer days could be better for learning, save money, help teachers, etc. But they aren't talking about longer days, as near as I can tell.
I. think we've needed more classroom hours for many years now.
@sloudermilk
I couldn't disagree more. I don't think more hours held captive in a classroom is the solution to our problems. Our public education system is under attack and has been for decades, slowly being dismantled and turned into glorified daycares. Getting good teachers who care are now a rarity, and even more so is the rarity they have support from administration and parents alike. Even the majority of parents look to have schools as a means of daycare.
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@sloudermilk as a parent with a child that is entering public school, I think a four-day school week is actually not a bad thing. I am a stay at home parent and I've long believed that a four-day work week should be implemented too.
@PaganMother I also see the advantage of a 4 day week for schools and a lot of work in corporate America as well.
I'm just saying classroom hours are a big part of an effective learning system. And we haven't been getting enough.
@sloudermilk Understood. But the way the system is designed right now is patterned after farm life and not the current world system that is used in everyday life now. An update is long overdue. But I could say the same of the corporate world and every other working position in the nation as it is. We overwork people for two little pay and not enough benefits. Children should not be put in that kind of situation, too much work and not enough time to absorb what they learn and apply it.
@sloudermilk
I think if it coincides with an average 4 day work week, it will be great. I don't think there is a study that says 5 days of school a week is the most beneficial over 4.
Kids also get so much homework, and I'm sure that will bleed into their 3 day weekend.
If the studies that show 4 days a work provide better productivity, why can't that hold true for learning?