More Public Schools Moving to 4-day Week

A growing number of schools in Missouri are switching to a four-day school week to combat a teacher shortage. The Independence School District School Board voted this week to move to a four-day week learning model. It joins around 140 other schools across the state. According to the district, the teacher retention rate after three years is approximately 55% and drops to 45% after five years. That, combined with early retirement, is putting pressure on schools to find creative solutions. The district found in schools that have adopted the four-day week, retention increases and more teachers choose to put off retirement.