More and more school districts across the U.S. are embracing the four-day school week.
Right now, nearly 560 districts in 25 states , with most implementing a Monday-Thursday schedule. The trend is especially popular in rural areas.
Proponents say the move . But there鈥檚 that a four-day school week is tough on low-income families, who rely on the meals and childcare embedded in a school day.
One state that鈥檚 leading the trend of four-day school weeks is Colorado. One of its major districts, 27J, made the switch this academic year.
Reporter Stephanie Daniel of Across America partner station 萝莉少女 in Greeley, Colorado, has been following this issue. Here鈥檚 part of her piece from the beginning of the school year:
鈥淲e had to think out of the box,鈥� said Tracy Rudnick, public information officer and head of the communications department for 27J schools.
27J is one of the lowest funded districts in the Denver metro area. But Rudnick said money was not the main reason for the change to a four-day week.
鈥淲e were looking at new and creative ways to attract and retain teachers,鈥� said Rudnick.
Traditionally 27J has been a stepping stone for educators. They start their career there, then move onto another district that pays more.
Rudnick said the move to a shorter work week has already boosted recruitment. A couple months after the change was announced, the district hosted a career fair and 500 teachers 鈥� experienced and prospective 鈥� attended.
That was more than double from the year before.
The district was able to fill more positions and hire seasoned educators, a rarity for them.
鈥淚t was a nice balance to hire new teachers and professionals that have been in the system for many years and bring that experience to the district,鈥� said Rudnick. 鈥淪o, that鈥檚 valuable to us as well.鈥�
The district is happy with the new schedule, according to Rudnick, and plans to reevaluate the program in three years.
We talk about the true cost of cutting class around the country.
This show was produced by Across America producer James Morrison. Text by Kathryn Fink.
is funded through a grant from The Corporation for Public Broadcasting. CPB is a private, nonprofit corporation created by Congress in 1967 that is the steward of the federal government鈥檚 investment in public broadcasting.
GUESTS
Paul Hill, Founder, Center on Reinventing Education; research professor, University of Washington Bothell;
David Blackburn, Superintendent, Salida School District
Stephanie Daniel, Education reporter, 萝莉少女;
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