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Eleven districts across five states -- Colorado, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York and Tennessee -- will extend school time by at least 300 hours, starting in 2013. The three-year pilot program hopes to make American students more competitive with their counterparts in other countries who rank higher in math and reading.
The extra time does not necessarily mean more classes. Some schools are expected to incorporate more recess so that students can move around, tutoring to work on academic weaknesses, and arts and science programs that have been cut in recent years.
What is expanded time and who is paying for it?
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In the past, students had to leave school early because they were needed back at the farm to help with chores. Assisting with farm duties was also the reason children stayed home during the summer season. |
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By a standard school calendar, students attend
six-and-a-half hour school days for 180 days a year.
In the 1,000 schools already participating in expanded-time schedules, students attend on average 7.8 hours of school a day, according to a report by the National Center on Time & Learning.
The experiment will be funded by a mix of private and public dollars. The Ford Foundation and the National Center on Time & Learning will lay down $3 million over the next three years. Additional operating costs will be paid for by existing state and federal funds.
The idea of extending the school day, or lengthening the academic calendar has encountered resistance in the past from teachers who will be asked to work longer days or give up some of their summer vacation. More school time is also a burden on budget officials who will have to cover the costs of having the building open for longer periods, including heat and lighting, and hiring new staff to lead the extra activities.
Does expanded time work?
Research has been mixed.
Roland Fryer, a Harvard economist, claims that extra tutoring and at least 300 more hours of instruction are keys to a successful education.
However, the National School Boards Association argues that schools in high performing countries like Finland and Japan have less instruction time than schools in the U.S., reports the Associated Press.
Education leaders point out that it's not just about more hours in a day. "The goal here is not more time," said Education Secretary Duncan. "The goal here is more learning."
Who will benefit from expanded time?
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The broader push to extend classroom time could run up against concerns from teachers unions. Longer school days became a major sticking point in a seven-day teachers strike in September in Chicago. |
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While leaders argue that more classroom time is good for everyone, they hope to help low-performing, disadvantaged students catch up.
Luis Ubiñas, the president of the Ford Foundation, believes that there is "no greater equalizer" than having students spend more time in school for quality education.
The organizers say schools in the program will create arts, science and sports activities that many low-income families cannot afford after school.
The participating schools are expected to form partnerships from community organizations to be able to offer these new opportunities to students.
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I think we've been witnessing violence for years, whether in reality through the media or through video games, and I don't think that's a first-hand effect.
