Colorado now has more districts participating in four-day school weeks than anywhere else in the nation.

The number of districts switching schools to four-day weeks has doubled since 2005. Statewide, 111 out of 178 districts — 62% — employ the method, according to the Colorado Sun.

Many schools opt for the change to save money, and some do so to recruit better teachers without having to raise salaries. Colorado was recently found to have the worst pay gap for teachers in the country, at 40% less than the average salary.

School boards can make the switch easily, as the move only requires a one-page application. The state has not turned down a single application in the history of the concept, according to the Sun.

Research on the effects of four-day weeks show varied results.

A 2019 report from Oregon State University called the effects “detrimental” after noting decreased reading and math scores for students attending four-day weeks. 

However, studies focused on Colorado came to different conclusions. A 2011 study by the Colorado Department of Education did not find significant changes in reading or math scores in schools  on a four-day schedule, and a 2015 study published in the journal “Education and Finance Policy” found that students at four-day schools scored higher in the two subjects.

Teachers and parents told the Colorado Sun that the schedule is an improvement because the time spent learning becomes more valuable.

“We put a little more shoulder into the wheel,” said North Conejos School District Superintendent Curt Wilson in the article. “We have very little wasted time in this district.”