A comprehensive study published in the Journal of Education Research has found that school districts using a four-day week schedule saw a 12 percent increase in student attendance compared to traditional five-day models. The study tracked 340 districts across 22 states over three academic years.
Researchers also noted improvements in teacher retention, with participating districts reporting 18 percent lower turnover rates. Students performed comparably on standardized assessments despite spending fewer total hours in classrooms.
Critics caution that the model creates childcare challenges for working families and may widen achievement gaps for students who depend on school for meals and structured support. Several districts are exploring hybrid solutions to address these concerns.
