WACO, Texas (FOX 44) — As students re-enter the classroom for the spring semester, districts on a 4-day school week in Central Texas say, they’re seeing positive results.
The decision for some districts to make this transition is because of teacher shortages across the state.
“It has been very well received. Truly from all of our stakeholders,” said Academy ISD Director of Communications Jacki Wright.
“It’s been really great. It’s been a lot smoother than what we expected,” said China Spring ISD Superintendent Dr. Marc Faulkner.
Academy and China Spring are starting the semester strong with teachers ready to help students.
“We have seen an increase in student and staff attendance. We have seen a decrease in documented discipline,” said Wright.
Wright says these results come from teachers and students having more focus in the classroom.
As China Spring and Academy see better attendance, Dr. Faulkner says it helps the district receive funding from the state.
“A percentage point would be a couple hundred thousand dollars of funds that the state has that is all sitting there waiting, but if kids don’t come to school, they keep that money,” said Dr. Faulkner.
Another focus of the four-day school week is academic performance.
“That’s what will be the real decision maker on whether or not we stick with this calendar long term or go back to some kind of alternate calendar, whether that’s a five-day calendar,” said Dr. Faulkner.
China Spring cut its turnover rate by half moving to a four-day school week.
Both districts also received positive feedback across the board.
“At least for the next year we are hoping to continue the four-day week,” said Wright.
Marlin ISD also reports positive results moving to this schedule.
The school board in Academy hasn’t decided yet on whether the four-day school week will return for the 2024-25 school year.
Dr. Faulkner says China Spring plans to continue this schedule to do additional studies.
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