Anderson, D. M., & Walker, M. B. (2015). Does shortening the school week impact student performance? Evidence from the four-day school week. Education Finance and Policy, 10(3), 314-349.

• Noticeable positive impact on the content taught along with the quality of the lessons.

• There is not a lot of research on the topic, given how much this idea has bloomed across the continent

• Shortened school weeks were first introduced in the Great Depression due to cost.

• Utah saved $502,000 the first year they changed to a four-day school week.

• Most common recommendation from both certified and classified staff was to switch to the condensed week.

• Teachers were able to take fluff out of lessons

• Teachers had more time to grade at school rather than taking it home

• Less student and staff were absent

• "Ninety-one percent of the participants preferred to work in schools with a four-day work week...has improved staff morale."

Turner, J. S., Finch, K. K., & Uribe-Zarain, X. (2018). Staff perspectives of the four-day school week: A new analysis of compressed school schedules. Journal of Education and Training Studies.

Step 1: Know the issues

• It is no secret that teachers' mental health is in an all-time decline right now. Rather than focusing on receiving mental health resources, I believe this solution could help solve many problems teachers in my area face!

Step 2: Know the district

• Every district in my area is a Title I school, so this idea may sound scary at first. However, there are other schools on the other side of the state that worked to find a realistic solution. Since students rely on the free lunch program, students could stay for a half day on Monday or Friday and receive both meals. If parents are unable to get their children, the school districts can hire personnel or offer bonuses to current staff to stay with students who must remain at school. Schools have more money than they’d like for others to believe. Another course of action districts can take is giving students 4.5 work weeks and having teachers stay the extra half day, but they can use that time for meetings and planning. If they have an appointment made, they can request access to leave early. 

Step 3: Know where you stand

• This is a practice I am willing to stand behind. The mental health crisis is prominent in America, and I believe bosses and politicians should be urgently finding ways to improve working conditions. A four-day workweek would relinquish a handful of concerns for teachers. Implementing a four-day workweek would give teachers more time to plan and opportunities to make appointments if needed. As a worker with a reduced schedule, I see the benefits firsthand.

• The representative for Calloway County is Mary Beth Imes and the Govenor is Andy Beshear. On a more local level, Calloway County Schools Superintendent is Tres Settle. Mary is a republican who I already know does not share some of the same values I do. Andy, however, actively fights for teachers and works hand in hand with our state union KEA.

Step 5: Know how to contact the decision makers

Senators: 

Mitch McConnell- 317 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington DC, 20510 

(202) 224-2541

Rand Paul- 295 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington DC, 20510

(202) 224-4343

Mary Imes- MaryBeth.Imes@kylegislature.gov, 502-564-8100

Andy Beshear: 700 Capitol Avenue, Suite 100 Frankfort, Kentucky 40601

(502) 564-2517

Step 6: Know the calendar for decision-making

• In even-numbered years, sessions may not last more than 60 legislative days, and cannot extend beyond April 15. In odd-numbered years, sessions may not last more than 30 legislative days, and cannot extend beyond March 30.

• On a district level, there is a board meeting once every month. This calendar is posted on the school's website.

• I would gain testimonies and research to help support my cause. Since teachers hold almost no power over their jobs, the politicians and board members must see the facts and hear their employees' cries. If there was a way to have state-wide protests, I believe this is a cause decision-makers would take seriously.

Step 8: Know how to reach the public

• After leading many different groups during undergrad, I found many ways to reach my community. Flyers were a great way to gain the attention of college students, and canva flyers posted on social media got a LOT of attention. A lot of news and information gets out through online platforms, and making aesthetically pleasing posts gets the word around. 

Step 9: Know your role in the electoral process

• Join groups that get you a seat at the table, whether that is on a large scale or a local one. If someone wants to work with their union and bring the cause statewide, do so! If someone wants to focus on their district, get other teachers to speak on the subject at the next board meeting and create a professional presentation.