Four-day schools represent a dramatic trend in Idaho education. And an unproven experiment. This year, 9.1 percent of Idaho’s public school student body, or 26,881 students, will spend just four days per week in school. Their days run 45 minutes to an hour longer than a five-day school.

These students live, by and large, in small towns. They span the state, from the Boundary County district that borders British Columbia to the Preston district on the Utah line, from Riggins’ Salmon River district to Blackfoot’s Snake River district. Nearly two out of every five districts in Idaho use a four-day calendar, 43 districts in all. In 2006-07, that number was 10. Those trends are clear. The effects on students are less clear. No one can say with certainty whether the four-day schedule helps or hinders student growth. Nor does the concentrated schedule seem to save districts much money.

Opinions are rampant. Hard statistics are scarce. And yet Idaho’s political leaders have shown little interest in seeking out answers/Kevin Richert, Idaho Education News. More here.

Question: Wouldn't you think the Idaho Legislature and/or Superintendent of Schools Sherri Ybarra would be paying close attention to an unproven experiment involving so many Idaho kids?

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