Latest news with #teacherRetention
CBS News
5 days ago
- Business
- CBS News
More North Texas school districts are switching to 4-day weeks. Here's why.
More public school districts in Texas are turning to shorter school weeks, including several in North Texas. For the 2025-2026 school year, Kennedale ISD in Tarrant County and Ponder ISD in Denton County will transition to a four-day school week. At least 18 public school districts in the North Texas area have already made the change. Districts have said that moving to a four-day school week will help them recruit and retain quality teachers. According to the Texas Education Agency, for the 2024-2025 school year, the total number of employed teachers fell for the first time since 2011, and the number of teachers leaving rose. Other reasons include saving money and student attendance. While the TEA does not have a complete list of districts implementing four-day school weeks, the Texas Classroom Teachers Association said that Olfen ISD, east of San Angelo, was the first to implement a four-day week in the 2016-2017 school year. As a rule, districts will designate a day off. Usually, that's on a Monday or a Friday. By law, Texas requires public schools to provide a minimum of 75,600 minutes of instruction per school year. Instead of making the school year longer, many districts opt to make the school day longer. Kennedale ISD, for example, plans to increase its school day by 15 minutes. Ponder ISD says it will increase its school day by 30 minutes. But missing that fifth day may impact students when it comes to learning retention. The TEA released a report in February 2025 comparing the academic impact of a four-day school week to a five-day school week. Results are based on the 2022-2023 school year STAAR test scores. In reading/language arts, students in grades 6-8 who attended a four-day school week scored an average of 6 to 8 percentage points lower than students who attended a five-day school week. In math, students in grades 4-6 had an average of 5-8 percentage points lower. The TEA also cited national research that shows evidence of academic growth from districts that adopted a four-day school week as long as they made the school day or the school year longer. However, that growth didn't happen as fast as in five-day school week districts. On average, students in a four-day school week attend 148 school days per year, compared to the national average for five-day schools at 180 days per year. North Texas school districts operating in a four-day school week: Chico ISD Gordon ISD Graford ISD Mineral Wells ISD Palo Pinto ISD Tioga ISD Farmersville ISD Terrell ISD Anna ISD Community ISD Decatur ISD Sanger ISD Athens ISD Gainesville ISD Quinlan ISD Joshua ISD Gunter ISD Collinsville ISD
CTV News
5 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Canadian education leaders discuss class safety, retention in Sask. meeting
The presidents of teacher associations and federations from across the nation gathered in Whitecap, Sask. from May 26-27, 2025. STF President Samantha Becotte is located in the first row, fourth from the left. (Source: STF) The leaders of teachers' organizations across Canada gathered just south of Saskatoon earlier this week to discuss priorities for educators – including classroom safety and the retention of workers. The meeting, which included nearly 20 representatives from teachers' associations and federations, was held in Whitecap. According to an announcement from the Saskatchewan Teachers Federation (STF), the group renewed collaboration efforts and priorities. They include: Reducing class sizes to improve student support Increasing the number of education specialists and support staff a Addressing class complexity and ensuring safer learning environments Transparent reporting of violent incidents and including actions taken 'Together, these priorities reflect what's urgently needed to create conditions where students and teachers can succeed,' the STF announcement read. 'Access to high-quality public education for all students is a cornerstone of Canadian culture and values and contributes to a strong economy and democracy.' A 2024 survey from the Canadian Teachers Federation showed that 95 per cent of educators feel that staff shortages are negatively affecting students, while 55 per cent of teachers reported having experienced violence or aggression in the past year. The STF recently came out on top following a more than year long labour dispute – where class complexity and staffing concerns were stand out issues. Independent arbitration eventually ruled that class complexity measures would have to be included in collective agreements going forward for Saskatchewan teachers.
