+h2+McDonald County Sees Teacher Increase with Four-Day School Week+h2+
+p+McDonald County Schools in Missouri have recently adopted a four-day school week. This shift in schedule was primarily driven by the pressing need for certified teachers. The district’s decision mirrors a wider trend seen in several U.S. school districts that have turned to the compressed week to attract and retain educators.+
+p+Research on the four-day school week suggests that its impact varies depending on the context. While the compressed schedule has not shown clear negative effects on student achievement in well-resourced schools, it can be problematic when implemented in districts with limited time in school. The change has been motivated in many cases to improve morale among staff, which often translates to better academic quality. In some districts, parents have expressed strong support for the new schedule, with staff members often citing improvements in staff morale and classroom quality.+
