Shortened schools weeks gaining traction in several areas; residents of one Montana town unsuccessfully attempted to oppose the shift.
Florence-Carlton School District in Ravalli County, Montana, is set to transition to a four-day school week this fall, following a contentious decision that has sparked heated debate in the community. Despite initially being hesitant about the change, the district's financial constraints have left them with little choice.
Staffing problems, a reduction in funding, and a decline in student population have put the district in a challenging position. With positions proving difficult to fill, the high school principal ended up teaching classes last year when a math teacher position went unfilled for a semester, and a science teacher left for a more lucrative offer nearby. A paraprofessional position has remained vacant the entire school year, according to Superintendent Todd Fiske.
With the aim of addressing these issues and offering families more time together, the school board approved the four-day week model in January, with a lengthened school day. A community survey showed that 51% of respondents supported the shift, while opponents have threatened to withhold future budget support, filed complaints, and even sued the district.
The four-day school week is becoming increasingly popular among Montana districts, with nearly 40% already operating on the schedule. Statewide, around 80% of counties have at least one school following the model, and 32 districts adopted it in 2022 and 2023. Across the U.S., the number of four-day districts is approaching 900 in 26 states, with the model gaining traction post-pandemic as a solution for staffing shortages and financial challenges.
However, concerns about academic outcomes have emerged. A three-part study from the University of Montana painted a grim picture of the four-day school week's impact on both students and schools. Based on data from 2008 to 2023, the study found that student learning suffered, with reading proficiency lower by up to 7 percentage points in four-day districts and a difference of up to 14 percentage points for math proficiency.
Though the Montana Office of Public Instruction commissioned the study following a surge in four-day school weeks post-Covid, it's not just Montana where such research highlights negative academic outcomes. Four-day school weeks are growing in popularity nationwide, with other studies echoing these findings.
One clear advantage of the four-day school week is improved teacher recruitment. Over 80% of new teachers prefer the shorter workweek, making it an attractive option for rural schools, which often struggle to attract teachers due to their smaller size.
Florence resident Jason Breckenridge sued to halt the change, citing concerns about his children being "guinea pigs." Virginia Mahn, a Florence-Carlton parent and graduate, filed a complaint alleging district leaders failed to ensure a quality education. A county judge, however, ruled in favor of the district, stating that trustees ensured adequate notice and public participation.
The dispute in Florence underscores broader divisions and uncertainty about the four-day school week. In the wake of this, it remains to be seen how the change will play out for students and the community.
References have been omitted for brevity.
Related:
- The Impact of a Four-Day School Week on Academic Achievement
- Addressing the challenges faced by rural schools in attracting teachers
- Examining the length of school days in the context of educational outcomes.
- Despite the growing popularity of the four-day school week among districts, concerns about its impact on academic outcomes persist, particularly in terms of reading and math proficiency, as shown in studies at the University of Montana and other educational institutions.
- The four-day school week has been proposed as a potential solution for addressing staffing and financial challenges in public education, but there is ongoing debate about its effect on education-and-self-development and learning, with teacher recruitment shown to be one advantage.
- Inequality in education has become increasingly visible, with research suggesting a negative impact on student learning in four-day districts and opponents of the model arguing that it undermines the quality of education provided by schools, as seen in the Florence-Carlton School District's transition to the four-day week.
