The education budget is in turmoil, and students are the ones who suffer.
While some students might view a three-day weekend every week as a dream come true, in Oklahoma, the reality of a four-day school week highlights a serious misalignment in budgeting priorities. Unfortunately, it’s the children who bear the burden of these decisions made by adults.
The trend of four-day school weeks began in Oklahoma in 2009 when a law was passed to help schools cope with snow-related cancellations. Previously, students were required to attend six hours a day for 180 days each year. The new legislation allowed schools to meet the educational mandate either through 180 six-hour days or by accumulating 1,080 hours of instruction annually. This change enabled schools to extend daily hours by about 45 minutes while only holding classes four days a week.
Years of tax cuts and a decline in sales tax revenue have plunged Oklahoma schools into a significant budget crisis. Extracurricular programs like music and art have already been cut, and some schools have resorted to charging students to participate in sports. Teachers, who have not seen a raise since 2008, are leaving the state or even the profession altogether—Oklahoma ranked 49th in teacher salaries as of 2013. To retain educators, some districts have opted for a four-day school week, which also allows for savings on utilities and transportation costs.
To illustrate the extent of the issue, a survey by the Oklahoma State School Boards Association revealed that of the 513 school districts in the state, 96 have implemented a four-day school week, either omitting Fridays or Mondays. This figure marks a significant increase, quadrupling since 2013 and nearly tripling since 2015.
Research by Scott Miller, a deputy state superintendent for education in Montana, indicates that while students initially perform well in a shortened week, their academic progress tends to decline over time, as teachers struggle to maintain momentum in their lesson plans. “Falling back into old habits can be tempting,” he noted.
The implications of a four-day school week extend beyond academics; working parents often rely on a traditional schedule to balance their jobs. Moreover, students who depend on subsidized meals face increased food insecurity with one less school day each week. Superintendent Laura Johnson from the Brooksville district has voiced concerns over this issue, emphasizing the need for a return to five-day weeks, especially given that 88% of the district’s students qualify for free or reduced-price meals.
Given the current administration’s education budget proposals, the likelihood of improvement for Oklahoma’s students appears slim. As a nation, our commitment to providing quality education for our children must be prioritized; otherwise, we risk a bleak future.
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Summary:
Oklahoma’s shift to a four-day school week reflects a severe budget crisis impacting education standards. With extracurricular activities being cut and teachers leaving for better pay, students are the ones who suffer the consequences. As the economy struggles, the future of education in the state remains uncertain.