A New Day for Schools
The Massachusetts Expanded Learning Time Initiative redesigns and reinvigorates the school day. Click here to watch a video to see what the school day means for teachers, students and parents (approx. 6 min. running time).
Background
Click here for the ELT Brochure!
In 2004, Massachusetts 2020, in partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Education, launched the Expanded Learning Time Initiative, which seeks to reform one of the most intractable features of American schools - the calendar of 180 6-hour days which was developed originally to accommodate a nineteenth century agrarian economy. Recognizing that the educational achievement gap will never be closed within the confines of the current (and antiquated) school day and year, we believe that schools should consider expanding the school day and year. Children, especially those at risk, need more time to achieve proficiency in the standards-based curriculum that now defines public education. All children also deserve the opportunity to experience enrichment programs such as the arts, music and sports. Without more time, these vital activities are often squeezed out of the school day.
Massachusetts 2020 has worked in partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Education to oversee and assist the conversion of a number of schools to a school schedule that is 30% longer. Over the next several years, we hope to expand this number and to demonstrate the positive impact that these schools have had on students. The Expanded Learning Time Initiative is supported by an Advisory Board of leaders in the education, philanthropic, and public policy arenas.
Our Work on the Ground
The conversion of schools was made possible through the Massachusetts Department of Education’s “School Redesign: Expanding Learning Time to Support Student Success” grant program which allows interested districts to redesign school days by adding 30% more time. In 2006, the Legislature appropriated $6.5 million to extended-time schools, enabling ten schools across five districts to turn their plans into reality and to open in September 2006 with a day at least two hours longer than it was the previous school year. The appropriation also funded an additional 29 districts to partake in the planning process of exploring whether and how they will expand schedules for schools in their communities.
Massachusetts 2020 is providing technical assistance to the current schools as well as to some districts and schools interested in adding time to their school day in the future. On this site, you can learn more about:
The current ELT schools who have converted to an expanded schedule.
Our series of e-newsletters designed to give readers a snapshot of how Expanded Learning Time is revolutionizing the school day for students, teachers, administrators, and the community.
Research and Resources
For districts and schools seeking to convert to a longer schedule, we have created a planning guide to walk through the complicated planning process. The guide includes many valuable resources to assist with the planning including timelines, sample schedules, budgets and communications strategies.
For researchers and educators, Massachusetts 2020 has compiled and synthesized an array of research related to time and learning.
Also Available: 2006 School Redesign: Expanding Learning Time to Support Student Success Conference Materials- click here.
