This booklet surveys the possibilities in instituting a 4-day school week, an approach which has gained favor in some small school districts. The history of the 4-day week and its characteristics are first described. Drawing on case studies of districts that have begun the 4-day schedule, the authors enumerate the steps in proposing and implementing a program and then point out the ancillary concerns (legal, organizational, instructional) that 4-day school weeks raise. The impact of such schedules on families, the community, and school staff are also analyzed, noting such evidence as community support and staff attitudes, and performance. Reports of student performance--attitudes, attendance, achievement--are considered. The topic of financial considerations includes the program's advantages and savings, as well as some fiscal cautions. Finally, a nationwide survey compiles information on some states' reasons for not using 4-day weeks, on the results of studies completed by other states, and on the reasons for implementing 4-day programs by states that have done so. (JW)