Ejercicio Texto 2 · Inglés PAU Andalucía Extraordinaria Suplente 2023

TEXT 2: NO MORE MONDAYS

1 For some US schools, the pandemic created an opportunity to try new things. One of them was to make four-day school weeks

the norm. As teachers' salaries cannot be raised, shortening the school week is a bonus which has allowed administrators to retain

and attract experienced teachers. Besides, a shorter school week may alleviate some of the workload on teachers and improve

their mental health. Schools can also save money. However, since teachers are not receiving any pay cuts, savings are typically

5 only between zero and three percent of the schools' budget.

Currently, more than 1,600 schools across 24 US states have a four-day school week, and the trend is growing, giving students

and teachers either Fridays or Mondays off. To make up for the time missed, the new model's school day is, on average, about an

hour longer than the traditional one.

Superintendents in districts which have transitioned to four-day weeks say that the vast majority of teachers, students,

10 administrators and parents actually love the model, an assertion backed by research and surveys.

It is a fact that absenteeism and discipline have seen a marked improvement in most of these districts. As regards students'

academic performance, results are varied. For example, students in Colorado had higher scores in Maths and English, whereas

students in Oregon got poorer results. Still, graduation rates, particularly among Latino students, have increased since the model

began.

15 The four-day week is still limited to small, rural schools in US states where travel distances are greater and hiring qualified

educators is a challenge. Current research is giving rise to more innovative ways of schooling which work better for teachers,

students and families.

CHOOSE AND WRITE THE CORRECT OPTION (A, B, C or D). (0.5 points each)

9.

According to the text, the four-day schedule has helped to...

10.

According to the text,...

ARE THESE STATEMENTS TRUE OR FALSE? JUSTIFY YOUR ANSWERS WITH THE PRECISE WORDS OR PHRASES FROM THE TEXT, OR USE YOUR OWN WORDS. (0.5 points each)

11.

The four-day school week could help prevent teachers' stress.

TRUE

FALSE

12.

Shortening the school week is reducing costs substantially.

TRUE

FALSE

13.

The length of the school day has remained unchanged.

TRUE

FALSE

14.

The new model is emerging in urban school districts.

TRUE

FALSE

15. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)

15.1.

15.2.

16. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)

16.1.

16.2.