The Four-Day School Week

Within the past three decades, a number of schools and districts, particularly those in rural areas, have moved toward a four-day school week. Recent articles and reprots indicate that there are now schools with four-day weeks in Colorado, Wyoming, South Dakota, Louisiana, New Mexico, Idaho, and Nebraska. The reasons for this shift include saving money int he face of declining enrollments and avoiding interruptions and abscences due to sports and activities. Districts contemplating the four-day week need current information about this alternative schedule and how it is working in schools around the country. This report is intended to summarize recent research and other articles on the four-day week and make recommendations to district personnel on whether and how it should be implemented.