Rural Iowa School Districts Embrace Four-Day Weeks Amid Recruitment Challenges
In the heart of Iowa, the Collins-Maxwell Community School District, located northeast of Des Moines, is among the growing number of schools adopting a shorter school week. This rural district, home to 400 students, is adjusting its calendar to a four-day week in an effort to attract and retain teaching staff and to address student absenteeism, which is notably high on Mondays and Fridays.
Although the Collins-Maxwell district maintained a traditional five-day schedule through the early months of the school year, it has now transitioned to a four-day week for its middle and high schools, with schools closed on Mondays. To comply with Iowa’s instructional hour requirements, the district will extend school hours on the remaining days.
Superintendent Marc Snavely was inspired by nearby districts that had successfully shortened their weeks. He believes this change could enhance teacher morale, combat burnout, and make the district more appealing compared to larger districts that offer higher salaries. Snavely stated, “Ultimately, the ‘why’ behind the four-day school week came down to staff recruitment and retention.”
The district aims to not only improve staff recruitment but also reduce disciplinary issues and enhance student attendance. Rural school districts, like Collins-Maxwell, view the four-day model as a strategic response to budget constraints and uncertain K-12 funding at state and federal levels.
Despite anecdotal successes, education researchers like Emily Morton of the Northwest Evaluation Association warn that the academic benefits of a four-day week are not well-supported by data. Morton noted that while longer school days may negatively impact academic performance, there is notable support for the four-day week model among parents and students.
The Rural Appeal of Four-Day Weeks
Across the United States, over 2,100 schools in 26 states have adopted four-day weeks, with Iowa seeing a significant increase from six districts to over two dozen by 2025. In Colorado, the majority of districts have embraced the shortened week. However, this trend remains largely rural.
Emily Morton observed, “To my knowledge, there’s not a single urban district using a four-day week.” She emphasized that this model’s appeal lies in its economic benefits for rural areas, such as reduced transportation and utility costs, and its role in easing teacher recruitment by offering extended weekends.
However, this shift presents challenges, particularly for working parents who must find childcare for the additional day off. Dr. Shanon Taylor of the University of Nevada, Reno, pointed out that the evidence on academic impacts remains inconclusive.
A comprehensive review by the University of Oregon highlighted mixed results in academic achievement, attendance, and discipline across 11 studies. The findings indicated no significant positive effects, underscoring the importance of engaging youth in constructive activities on the extra day off.
State and Local Policy Conflicts
The implementation of four-day school weeks has sparked debates between state and local entities. In Oklahoma, a state law now limits virtual learning days, a response to districts’ widespread use of “virtual Fridays” with minimal live instruction. Missouri requires voter consent for certain districts to maintain a four-day week, a rule currently challenged in court.
Similar legislative actions are seen in New Mexico and Arkansas, reflecting ongoing uncertainty over the long-term effects of four-day weeks. Morton emphasizes the importance of equipping districts with comprehensive research to better understand potential benefits and drawbacks.
As the popularity of four-day weeks grows, the need for more robust data and informed decision-making becomes increasingly crucial for rural districts navigating these changes.
