Recent research indicates that the adoption of a four-day school week, intended to enhance teacher recruitment and retention, may not yield the expected results. A study by Aaron Ainsworth from the University of California Irvine revealed that teacher turnover actually increased after Oregon districts implemented the shortened schedule. “The fact that teacher turnover increased was surprising for us,” Ainsworth stated, suggesting that the four-day week may not be the best strategy for long-term retention. While over 2,100 schools have adopted this model, the benefits to retention appear minimal, with turnover rates rising by about four percentage points in the long term. Additionally, salary disparities have widened, potentially contributing to the retention challenges. Despite these findings, many educators and parents support the four-day week for its perceived advantages in planning and flexibility.
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