More Time, More Learning

There have recently been public debates over lengthening the school calendar. "With President Obama and U.S. Secretary of Education Duncan now challenging educators to move beyond a school schedule and calendar developed for a farm and factory era, expanded learning time is moving to center stage." (Gabrieli 40) Some schools in the United States have already adopted schedules that increase the school day by 60%!

Is it successful? Clarence Edwards Middle School in Charleston, Massachusetts adopted an expanded learning time schedule three years ago. (Monday through Thursday, students start school at 7:20 and end at 4:00. On Fridays, the school day ends at 11:40 a.m.) In that time, their scores have soared...whereas before Edward's students' scores lagged far behind the state average, they now are 60% higher than the state average. The students spend the extra time at school being tutored in the subject in which they struggle the most. Also, the school is now able to offer almost twice the previous level of instruction in science and social studies.

Is expanded learning time right for everyone? No. This type of schedule is mainly targeted for middle-grade students in high-poverty schools.

Ten Keys to Success:

1. In order for expanded learning time to be worth your while, you must increase the schedule by 300 hours a year or 1 hour and 45 minutes a day! Some schools go an extra month in the summer as a way to expand the schedule.

2. Schools must redesign the entire schedule by lengthening core subject by 30 minutes or so. Also, schools can expand time for lunch and recess.

3. There must be a balance between academic time and time for teachers to collaborate with the students individually.

4. Prioritize and focus. Schools often mess up by trying to do too much in that time. Be careful not to allow too many electives to interfere with students mastering the most important areas.

5. All students must follow the same schedule, not the same classes. The students' classes should be individualized, but all students should follow the same bell schedule.

6. Involve the community. Plan with the community leaders when designing the school schedule. Assess the needs of the community.

7. Use and incorporate data-proven techniques in the classroom. Allow for extra tutoring sessions with students.

8. Offer enrichment activities that both expose and enrich.

9. Teachers and professionals should collaborate. Teachers should collaborate with one another.

10. Teachers and students should show a positive attitude toward working together to achieve success.

All in all, where there has been a need to do so, and when done properly, there has been success by expanding the school schedule. The biggest hurdle when developing an effective expanded learning time schedule appears to be balance of academic instruction, enrichment activities, resources, and extracurricular activities.