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4-day school weeks are growing in popularity, despite a lack of data on the effects
More than 2,100 rural schools in 26 states have adopted four-day weeks primarily to address teacher shortages and budget constraints, though academic effects remain inconclusive.
- This year, rural districts across 26 states have expanded four-day weeks to more than 2,100 schools, with Iowa districts growing from six in 2023-24 to more than two dozen in 2025.
- District leaders say they shortened weeks to fill staffing gaps and boost recruitment, save on transportation and utilities, and reduce student absences that spike on Mondays and Fridays in rural districts.
- University of Oregon researchers reviewed 11 studies and found varied impacts with no large positive effects, while Emily Morton cautioned that benefits have not appeared and longer days may harm academics.
- State officials responded with legislation and court fights, as Oklahoma this year restricted virtual learning shifts, Missouri enacted a 2024 voter-approval law, and Independence School District sued the state.
- Researchers warn uncertainty will continue without broader studies, as local districts' data and parental child-care burdens for parents who work five days a week leave questions unresolved.
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Total News Sources16
Leaning Left12Leaning Right0Center0Last UpdatedBias Distribution100% Left
Bias Distribution
- 100% of the sources lean Left
100% Left
L 100%
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