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FOUR-DAY SCHOOL WEEK
RESOURCE CENTER
INTERVIEWS & NEWS

Conversations with researchers and district leaders

We’re always interested in bringing together the leading researchers on the four-day school week with school leaders in four-day districts. Here are our interviews with researchers investigating the four-day school week in the United States, plus current media coverage.

Researcher interviews with Missouri superintendents

Interview with Dr. Paul Thompson
Dr. Paul Thompson — impact on academics
Oregon State University, with Dr. Gregg Klinginsmith (Warren County), Dr. Mike Henry (Marshfield), and Dr. Jon Turner. November 29, 2023. See also Dr. Thompson’s research site.
Interview with Dr. Emily Morton
Dr. Emily Morton — research summary
American Institutes for Research, with Dr. Sarah Wisdom (New Bloomfield), Dr. Sandy Stegall (Clinton County), and Dr. Jon Turner. November 2, 2023.
Interview with Dr. Emily Tomayko
Dr. Emily Tomayko — health impacts
Montana State University, with Dr. Allison Murphy-Pope (Hurley), Dr. Dustin Storm (Miller), and Dr. Jon Turner. December 7, 2023.

The growth of the four-day school week in Missouri

Interview with Dr. Karl Janson

Dr. Karl Janson of Cabool Schools was one of the first superintendents to adopt the four-day school week in Missouri. With over a third of Missouri schools now on the schedule and Dr. Janson’s retirement in June 2025, Dr. Turner recorded this conversation seeking his advice for districts considering the change.

Dr. Janson can still be reached at KJanson70@gmail.com if you have questions or would like him to speak with your leadership team.

Four-Day Week Learning Network

Professional development videos and resources for four-day week districts.

Responsible AI in schools — Eminence Schools

Integrating AI responsibly in schools — featuring Stephanie Barbagiovanni, Superintendent of Eminence Schools in Missouri. Why teaching students safe and ethical AI use is essential, with practical classroom tools: differentiating instruction, saving teachers time on lesson planning, coaching strategies, IEP goals, and a “stop and go” system to guide responsible AI use in rural schools.

Eminence R-I AI usage guidelines →

In the news

Indiana Capital Chronicle · July 2026
Indiana sets standards for 4-day school week waivers
K-12 Dive · April 2026
Districts, states grapple with 4-day school week
Education Week · January 2026
Do 4-day school weeks attract and retain better teachers? What the largest study yet says
Stateline · December 2025
4-day school weeks are growing in popularity, despite a lack of data on the effects
Missouri Independent · November 2025
Missouri voters approve four-day school week in two districts, showing rising support
KCUR · November 2025
Independence can keep its four-day school week after voters approve
NPR · October 2025
More school districts count on a 4-day week to attract and retain teachers
The Daily Yonder · October 2025
More rural school districts turn to four-day week
Iowa Public Radio · August 2025
Pass or fail? Midwest families and districts are learning from the 4-day school week
Iowa Public Radio · Talk of Iowa · August 2025
Four-day school weeks are increasing across Iowa
Dr. Turner joins parents, superintendents, and researchers to discuss the rapid growth of the four-day school week across Iowa and the Midwest.
KCUR · August 2025
Will Independence keep its 4-day school week? Lawsuit and public vote could decide
The 74 · June 2025
Beloved by K-12 leaders, the four-day school week fails to deliver, study finds
Chalkbeat · May 2025
4-day school weeks are spreading. These Montana parents tried to stop it
Education Week · January 2024
The popularity of 4-day school weeks, in charts
QUESTIONS OR NEED RESOURCES?

Contact Dr. Jon Turner

Associate Professor of Educational Leadership · Missouri State University, Springfield MO

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