When the school bell rings in Independence, Missouri, this year, 14,000 students are trying something new: a four-day week, with Mondays off. And they’re not alone. As kids head back to school this year, a growing number will be returning to a four-day school week.
Hundreds of districts across the country have moved to adopt the alternative weekly schedule in recent years. CBS News correspondent Bradley Blackburn looked at why some larger school districts are now taking this step — and what it means for teachers, students and families.
It’ll be painful for lower income families unless their communities organize childcare co-ops.
One side benefit may be in making more conversation about a 4-day work week.
Knowing how things always tend to work out. The 4 day work week will be Monday through Thursday and not be helpful at all.
The people on the bottom, at the lowest income level will never have the 4 day work week in their lifetime. That’s a middle class dream.
I was worried about the additional per-day time, but the article says it’s only an additional 35 minutes. I think this would only work well if childcare was subsidized on the weekday off (under a certain income threshold if it must be that way). I worry about parents finding a way to make sure someone is keeping an eye on their kids otherwise.
It’s because Missouri isn’t spending enough on schools.
It’s a selling point in an era when schools are facing a national teacher shortage.
“The best way is to pay them better,” Pallas said, adding that Missouri “ranks basically last” or “next to last in terms of teacher salaries.”
In an effort to attract teachers in rural areas, Missouri saw district-wide shifts from five-day to four-day school weeks surge ahead of the 2022 academic year, with roughly 25% of schools moving to the new schedule, according to an online brief by the National Conference of State Legislatures.
And to cap it off, you get to spend more if you need to cover the child care that the school used to provide. On top of school taxes.
For parents who need childcare on Mondays, the district will offer it for $30 a day — a cost that could strain some families.
both the work week and school day should be 3 days with two shifts.
As long as you’re not coming for my 1st shift! I can’t imagine working any other shift anymore.
I would jump at an early second shift.
Anything that frees young people from that awful system for even a little bit longer…
