The pandemic’s impact on attendance rates and funding has led many Texas school districts to adopt a four-day school week model. Currently, 83 districts in Texas have approved this change, affecting nearly 96,000 students. Lometa ISD, one such district, has seen improved attendance and increased student enrollment since implementing the four-day week. The change was made possible by a 2015 Texas Legislature bill that allows districts to meet instructional time requirements through minutes rather than days. Lometa ISD operates on a Tuesday-Friday schedule, with Monday as an optional day offering programming, snacks, and lunch for students, along with additional teacher planning time and staff development opportunities. Most staff members at Lometa report significant improvements in mental health as a result of the new schedule.
Why are Texas school districts adopting the four-day week?
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