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The Economics of a Four-Day School Week: Community and Business Leaders¡¯ Perspectives

Author

Listed:
  • Jon Scott Turner
  • Kim Finch
  • Ximena Uribe-Zarain

Abstract

The four-day school week is a concept that has been utilized in rural schools in the United States for decades and the number of schools moving to the four-day school week is growing. In many rural communities, the school district is the largest regional employer which provides a region with permanent, high paying jobs that support the local economy. This study collects data from 71 community and business leaders in three rural school districts that have transitioned to the four-day school week within the last year. Quantitative statistical analysis is used to investigate the perceptions of community and business leaders related to the economic impact upon their businesses and the community and the impact the four-day school week has had upon perception of quality of the school district. Significant differences were identified between community/business leaders that currently have no children in school as compared to community/business leaders with children currently enrolled in four-day school week schools. Overall, community/business leaders were evenly divided concerning the economic impact on their businesses and the community. Community/business leaders¡¯ perceptions of the impact the four-day school week was also evenly divided concerning the impact on the quality of the school district. Slightly more negative opinions were identified related to the economic impact on the profitability of their personal businesses which may impact considerations by school leaders. Overall, community/business leaders were evenly divided when asked if they would prefer their school district return to the traditional five-day week school calendar.

Suggested Citation

  • Jon Scott Turner & Kim Finch & Ximena Uribe-Zarain, 2018. "The Economics of a Four-Day School Week: Community and Business Leaders¡¯ Perspectives," Applied Economics and Finance, Redfame publishing, vol. 5(2), pages 168-174, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:rfa:aefjnl:v:5:y:2018:i:2:p:168-174
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. D. Mark Anderson & Mary Beth Walker, 2015. "Does Shortening the School Week Impact Student Performance? Evidence from the Four-Day School Week," Education Finance and Policy, MIT Press, vol. 10(3), pages 314-349, July.
    2. Kusmin, Lorin D., 2011. "Rural America At A Glance, 2011 Edition," Economic Information Bulletin 291942, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
    3. Kusmin, Lorin, 2015. "Rural America at a Glance, 2015 Edition," Economic Information Bulletin 262113, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    four-day; school week; school calendar; economics of education; education policy;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • R00 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General - - - General
    • Z0 - Other Special Topics - - General

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