Taking advantage of legislation permitting modified school calendars, the four-day work week has been implemented by 23 small, rural Colorado school districts representing 5,200 children. Thirteen districts implemented the four-day program in the 1980-81 school year. Ten additional districts applied as first year pilot programs in the 1981-82 school year. A study conducted by Colorado State University of the original 13 school districts found that all districts demonstrated the potential of the schedule to save energy and transportation costs, and to reduce student and teacher absenteeism. In addition, student achievement levels were comparable to their achievement prior to experiencing the four-day week. Parents, teachers, and students favored the four-day concept over a five-day week by a wide margin. The school districts found they achieved notable cost savings in many areas and there were important strategic considerations surrounding the decision of taking Monday or Friday off. In addition to information from the study, other observation and study have led to conclusions that: negative factors must also be carefully examined (some students will have excess time around town, the school day is very long for young children, etc.), and a community and school should avoid moving into a four-day schedule without careful study and planning. (BRR)