John Yowan
Mr. Painter
English 10
14 January 2004
Good reasons for having four-day a week school
I think USD 413 should go to having a four-day school week. In schools making the change to a four-day school week student drop-out rates decline, students and teachers have a more positive attitude about school, and there is more time for students to participate in extracurricular activities.
Having a four-day school week will
lower the drop-out rates of students in the USD 413 District. According to an
article talking about a school that changed to the four-day a week
schedule “Student drop-out rates
declined” (four 1). Student drop-out rates declining will help the school make
more money, which can be used for things like new text books and better
computers. The reason the student drop-out rate is declining in these schools
is because students have a better attitude about school.
In schools with a four-day school
week students and teachers share better attitudes about school. This is a good
thing because when students have a better attitude about school they get better
grades, and students who do not like school are more apt to attend a school
with a four-day school week. “Students and teachers share a more positive
attitude about school. Consequently, there is a marked improvement in school
morale” (Four 1). Students who get better grades and have a more positive
attitude about school in the future are more likely to go to college and get
better jobs. Students going to a four-day a week school have a more positive
attitude about school for many reasons, including more time for sports and
clubs.
In schools with a four-day a week
schedule students have time on Friday for things like more interaction with
friends and doctors appointments unlike students who are on the normal
schedule. “There is more time for participation in extracurricular activities
and for personal business” (Four 1). Students at schools with a four-day a week
schedule do not miss as much school because they can take care of their
personal business on Friday when they do not have school. Students in different
sports activities do not have to miss part of Friday to go to a different
school for sporting events. Instead they can go to the event on Friday morning.
Students would also be able to go to schools further away to play sports
because they have more time to travel to get there.
In conclusion changing to a four-day a week schedule will help USD 413 School District because in schools that change to having four-day school weeks student drop-out rates decline, students and teachers have a more positive attitude about school, and there is more time for students to participate in extracurricular activities.