AUSTIN — Texas lawmakers are weighing how much freedom school districts should have to adopt four-day weeks after state education officials and researchers raised questions about instructional time and student outcomes at a Senate Education Committee hearing Tuesday, Oct. 6. The discussion followed a presentation showing Texas students scoring below students in Mississippi on fourth- and eighth-grade reading measures. State Sen. José Menéndez, a San Antonio Democrat, said the comparison was troubling, noting that Mississippi has made substantial academic gains since 2013. Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath told the committee that the states share a similar policy framework but differ in two notable ways: Mississippi requires at least 180 school days and holds back some third-graders who are not reading at grade level. Texas students attend an average of 169 days, according to the figures presented at the hearing. Texas districts must provide 75,600 operational minutes each school year, but state law gives them flexibility in how those minutes are scheduled. More than 100 districts have moved to four-day weeks, often citing teacher recruitment and retention, potential savings or more time for students with family. Morath pointed to El Paso-area schools, which start earlier and finish later than many districts and schedule weeklong breaks during which some students can receive targeted tutoring. He said the region has generally seen stronger academic outcomes and that its calendar may be one contributing factor. He also cautioned that extending the school day while cutting the number of school days can undermine learning and memory formation. Researcher Emily Morton of the Northwest Evaluation Association told lawmakers that studies of four-day schedules show average district spending reductions of about 2% and bullying declines of 30% to 40%. The studies found no change in teacher-quality or school-climate ratings, while also identifying increases in juvenile crime and food insecurity in the districts examined. Elmer Avellaneda, superintendent of Natalia ISD southwest of San Antonio, said his district adopted a four-day calendar to recruit and retain teachers, but saw no improvement in either area. He said academic performance declined during each year of the schedule, with the district’s rating falling from a C to an F. Natalia’s school board returned to a five-day week this past year. Avellaneda said his experience did not justify a blanket statewide mandate. He and Morton instead encouraged lawmakers to consider guardrails for districts seeking a four-day schedule. Indiana, for example, permits such calendars only under conditions that include an A rating, a minimum teacher salary, access to fifth-day education for students who need it and State Board approval. Texas lawmakers considered restricting four-day schedules during the 2023 legislative session. Senate Bill 2368 passed the Senate but did not advance out of a House committee. Sen. Donna Campbell, a New Braunfels Republican, said at Tuesday’s hearing that she could not identify a strong reason for a four-day week. The discussion could inform education proposals in the next legislative session; lawmakers did not announce a decision to require five-day schedules.