Could Michigan Schools Be Moving to 4-Day Weeks?

Let me just say, that when I was in school, I would have KILLED for a four-day school week, especially in high school. I understand wanting to keep the elementary and middle school version of me locked up behind brick walls five days a week was necessary, but I had more control of myself in my later years.

It would have also allowed me more time to work at my part-time job, and put back some money... which I DESPERATELY need now. The reality is, though, my years have passed. BUT, the idea of modern school systems considering four-day weeks is an interesting thought.

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We're all aware of the growing trend of the typical work week moving to 4, 10-hour days. As of right now, only a handful of countries have adopted the policy, most are experimenting on how it would affect their economy. Likewise, there are some major companies that have tested the same policy over six-month periods.

In all accounts, though, through proper staggering of schedules, the results have been positive, and employers have seen more productive work while in the office form their employees, AND less burnout, since they get an extra day to rest, and handle regular home life.

So if it works for work, why not try and apply it to schools?

Well, some have, and in Michigan, there are certain schools who have the ability to try it.

At the moment, only two districts in the entire state are on them - Big Jackson in the Northwest Lower Peninsula, and Republic-Michigamme in the Upper Peninsula's Iron County. Representatives from the districts say so far, they haven't received any complaints about not having class on Fridays, and it actually gives families a three-day weekend, every week.

The schedule also benefits the teachers, too, working in the classroom with the students for longer days, Monday through Thursday, then a half-day on one Friday each month to meet the required work hours for districts.

There are concerns, though, in other parts of the state, where a four-day school week, would clash with the typical five-day work week, leaving some students without a parent at home on their day off from classes.

Currently, in Michigan, one section of the State School Aid Act allows the State Superintendent to waive the required days and hours of student instruction for alternative education programs, or another innovative program. But fear not to the working parents out there, that applies to very few districts in the state... for now.

For the record, schools only have to log 180 days of class, and 1,098 hours in each school year. So realistically, you could take away Fridays from the classroom, and tack on a few extra weeks at the beginning, and end of the school year, and still be compliant.

What would be the benefits of a four-day school week?

First of all, students would likely need to stay long at school on class days, which means parents would have to leave work EARLY to pick up their kids. It would more closely conform with a typical work day's hours.

It would also cut costs for transportation to the district. A full day of not running busses in larger districts especially could save thousands in a short amount of time.

An extra day during the week would also result in less absences from class, as doctor, eye, and dentist appoints could all be made on the day off.

It encourages more time spent at home with the family as well, and an extra day of being able to rest, relax, and even catch up on extra work by the teachers would likely have them better prepared and rested each week.

So what do you think? Could a four-day school week work in your community?