Northeast of Des Moines in central Iowa, the Collins-Maxwell Community School District, with 400 students, is among many shifting to a four-day school week. Like other rural schools, the district faces teacher shortages and views the shorter week as a recruitment advantage. The move also aims to reduce student absences, which often occur on Mondays and Fridays.
Initially maintaining a five-day schedule in August and September, the district will now close middle and high schools on most Mondays, extending other school days to meet Iowa’s instructional hour requirements. Superintendent Marc Snavely noted observing nearby schools adopting a similar schedule and expects benefits like improved teacher morale and reduced burnout. “Ultimately, the ‘why’ behind the four-day school week came down to staff recruitment and retention,” Snavely stated, emphasizing the competitive edge for the small district.
Surrounding districts reported fewer discipline issues and better attendance with the four-day week, a model that helps rural schools manage budgets amid uncertain K-12 funding. However, education researchers, including Emily Morton from the Northwest Evaluation Association, warn that the expected benefits lack empirical support, and extended school days may negatively impact academic performance. Despite this, the four-day schedule enjoys high approval among parents and students.
A Rural Trend
Over 2,100 schools in 26 states now use four-day weeks, with Iowa’s districts rising from six in 2023-24 to over two dozen by 2025. It’s primarily a rural practice, with Colorado’s two-thirds of districts adopting it. Emily Morton remarked that urban districts have yet to embrace this model widely. The schedule often helps rural districts save on costs and aids recruitment, as noted by Dr. Shanon Taylor, an education professor at the University of Nevada, Reno.
However, parents, especially those working five days a week, face challenges finding child care on the additional day off. The research remains mixed, with a University of Oregon study reviewing 11 studies and finding no large positive effects on academic achievement or attendance. Maintaining other youth activities on the day off is crucial to mitigate negative impacts.
State vs. Local Clashes
The policy has ignited debates between state and local officials. In Oklahoma, districts countered state efforts to limit the four-day week by shifting to “virtual Fridays” with minimal instruction. In response, Oklahoma restricted virtual learning to two days annually, under specific conditions. Missouri requires voter approval for certain districts to adopt four-day weeks, leading to legal challenges. Meanwhile, New Mexico and Arkansas explore legislative options amid rising adoption in rural areas. Morton suggests that small districts need more national research to assess the four-day week’s efficacy, as local data alone is insufficient.
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