| A Four-Day School Week: Rand Research Brief |
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A four-day school week (4dsw) is becoming more common, especially in areas across the western United States. States with large rural areas are spearheading this change. For example, Colorado, Idaho, Missouri, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and South Dakota have more than 500 districts using a 4dsw. Champions of the shorter week contend that it saves money, improves student attendance, and helps recruit and retain teachers to rural districts by offering them an extra day off each week. The transition to the 4dsw and the debate over its effects have taken place largely in the absence of empirical evidence. To address this knowledge gap, a team of researchers from the RAND Corporation conducted a large-scale study of the 4dsw using data from 36 districts across Idaho, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. They also used administrative data from these states, as well as from Colorado, Missouri, and South Dakota
The team analyzed both qualitative and quantitative data to compare experiences with a 4dsw and a five-day school week (5dsw). |
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In this episode of the Rural Voice, Drs Pratt and Bigham interview Dr. Jon Turner, Assistant Professor of Counseling, Leadership, and Special Education at Missouri State University on his research regarding the four-day school week. In this episode, Dr. Turner discusses his research related to the benefits and disadvantages of the four-day school week and the various forms of implementation around the United States. Dr. Turner discusses the potential saving of the four-day school in terms of salary, gas, and utility expenses but cautions that many school systems refuse to lay off teachers or staff and therefore do not capitalize on the cost savings of reduced salary. Nevertheless, Dr. Turner suggests that the educational benefits to students are apparent and that many older teachers apply to work in such systems given the three-day weekend. Dr. Turner concludes by suggesting the need for equity in salaries of teachers within a geographic area would help attract talent to rural school systems when compared to urban or suburban salaries. For more information on Dr. Turner's research or research on the four day work week, please go to http://www.fourdayweek.us |
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| We Can Do This Campaign: NREA & RSC |
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| In this episode of the Rural Voice, Drs. Allen Pratt and Christopher Silver interview Dr. Lisa Costello regarding her experience and expertise on the COVID-19 Pandemic and vaccines. We discussed the impact of COVID on schools and on children. We discuss the variants and the science behind treatment and invention measures. We discuss the impact of vaccine availability, particularly for children under the age of 5 as well as the comparative approaches to addressing the Pandemic. We discuss the effects of the virus on local communities and how culture may be related to policy and practice addressing the Pandemic. We discuss how these approaches have been addressed and received within rural communities. |
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| Reading Rural: 2022 Summer Book Study |
| In keeping with NREA’s 2022 conference theme, the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Team (EDIT) will sponsor an informal book study this summer on Raising Rural: A Fair Chance for a Good Life, we will read Sarah Frey’s The Growing Season – How I Built a New Life – and Saved an American Farm. Using Frey’s narrative as a catalyst for discussions, we will explore creative and cooperative action around three strands: community, agency, and creativity from diverse perspectives. We will meet via Zoom in June, July, and August from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. EST – on the second Monday of each month. Participants are not required to attend every session. Come as you are, whenever you can!
For more information please contact NREA via email.
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| NREA Latest Partnership: myCredential |
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