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Health & Fitness

Shortened School Week? Research Supports It

Would Bay Area communities consider a shortened school week as a means to maintain quality schools?

Would Bay Area school districts on the Peninsula consider a shorter school week for its learners?  The unthinkable may very well become a reality should Governor Brown's budget, with its "slash and burn" approach to public education, win approval later this year.  Unfortunately, most school districts equate shortened schools weeks with forced furloughs of employees as a means to reduce expenses and balance the budget.  However, recent research offers an alternative approach:  A shortened school week that neither reduces salaries nor reduces instructional time for the learners--but still could save millions of dollars a year for cash strapped school districts.  

The LA Times Sunday Edition reported on a study, from the Center for Education Policy at the University of Southern Maine, that there are both educational and financial benefits from a four-day work week.  The 2009 report cites, among other benefits, that schools have saved as much as 9% on expeneses each year.  Other benefits include decreased absenteeism among both learners and educators, lower drop out rates, higher levels of participation in extra curricular activities, and lower numbers of discipline issues.  Test scores remained steady and, in some cases, actually rose when the school or district went to a four day school week.  

This four day school week does not decrease the actual number of instructional minutes.  It is the same amount of instructional time that is spread over four days instead of five.  There would be no savings with salaries .  But, other financial savings suggested  had included a reduction in utility costs, 20% fewer lunches to serve in schools that have cafeterias, lower transportation costs, and even lower substitute teacher costs with the corresponding decrease in educator absences.  

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This study is small and its validity is not verified when extrapolating across all school districts.  But, it does raise an interesting perspective that is particularly relevant in California's current economic climate for public education funding.  For schools districts like San Carlos, Redwood City, or Belmont/Redwood Shores, a savings of up to 10% could be the critical difference when considering major cuts to academic programs.  

For example, according to a recent Redwood City School District letter to district parents, the superintendent spoke of a potential deficit of up to $9.6 million on a budget of $81 million dollars.  If RWC School District could save even 8% from a longer day/shortened school week (not a furlough, mind you), the potential savings would cover 75% of this budget deficit.  This would save both jobs and teacher salaries while still protecting learners' instructional time.    

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Hypothetically, we could consider this at my charter school,  San Carlos Charter Learning Center.  As the school leader, working with my baord and the CLC community,  I would also push for offering some additional educational enrichment offerings on that one day of the week when school is not in session.  We could bring in scientists or software gurus or even offer unique programs like triatholon training for those community members interested in exploring something creative.   These could be fee based programs designed to engage learners in ways that are even more non traditional than what we already offer. Such fee based programs, if there was an interest for them, could bring in additional revenue to support our educational budget.

A 4-day school week is certainly an idea that challenges conventions.  And, this is one that may not ever seriously be considered except under extraordinary circumstances.  Given the "all cuts" state budget that Governor Brown is suggesting may happen, for area school districts and charter schools alike, we may very well be at the start of some extraordinary circumstances as it relates to public school funding.  We should be open to all options in order to maintain the educational programs for our children.  This unusual option appears to have some interesting possibilities.  

(Note:  San Carlos Charter Learning Center is not considering  any options like the 4-day school week.  The example offered was entirely hypothetical.)

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