IS EXPANDED LEARNING TIME RIGHT FOR OUR STUDENTS?

Deciding whether to move forward with designing an Expanded Learning Time school (or schools) should not be taken lightly.  The planning can be complicated and, at times, contentious.  Experience teaches that certain elements should be in place before a district and school should even begin the planning process or else the effort can actually set back other reform initiatives.

Below is a simple checklist to determine whether an ELT school might be a worthwhile education reform strategy for your school and district.  As a simple rule of thumb, if you answer “no” to several of these questions, then ELT may not be a good fit for you at this time.

1. Are many students struggling acadmemically (as measured by MCAS, formative assessments, etc.)?	Yes No
2. Have recent redesign/reform efforts around school improvement in the district and school(s) been successful?	Yes No
3. Do you have some basic ideas of what the school(s) could do with the additional time and why more time would generate improved student learning?	Yes No
4. In the last two to three years, has your school been forced to cut time for classes such as arts, physical education and music?	Yes No
5. Would parents generally be supportive of the addition of two hours to the school day?	Yes No
6. Does a large portion of the student body currently lack access to after-school activities?	Yes No
7. Is/are the principal(s) committed to and capable of managing the complex process of redesigning the school?	Yes No
8. Are relations between central administration and the teachers’ union generally positive and productive?	Yes No
9. Is there a “critical mass” of teachers who would be supportive of redesigning the school day?	Yes No
10. Does your school/district have access to strong community partners who could enhance the educational program?	Yes No