New Report: Redesigning and Expanding Time to Support Common Core Implementation

Did you miss the event? Watch the LIVESTREAM here.

Public schools that significantly expand their schedules will be in a much stronger position to successfully implement the Common Core State Standards, according to a report that NCTL and the Center for American Progress are releasing this morning at an event in Washington, D.C.

Redesigning and Expanding School Time to Support Common Core Implementation explains why expanding time beyond the conventional 180-day, 6.5-hours-per-day school calendar can play such an important role in successful implementation. At today's event, state, district, and school leaders, including former Massachusetts Secretary of Education Paul Reville; Connecticut Education Commissioner Stefan Pryor; Michael Cohen, President of Achieve, Inc.; Syracuse City School District Superintendent Sharon Contreras; and Orchard Gardens K-8 Pilot School Director of Professional Development Toby Romer will discuss findings from the report. 

The Common Core State Standards represent an important step forward in preparing American students for success in college, careers, and citizenship in the 21st century. Successful implementation will require time and support for teachers to develop new skills and to collaborate with peers. For students, particularly those already struggling in school, individualized support and more time will be vital.  Schools that operate longer days and/or years will be better equipped to meet the sharp rise in expectations that the new standards represent and to ensure that students still have access to a well-rounded education with classes in the arts, music, robotics, physical education, foreign languages and more.   

Fortunately, states are beginning to implement the Common Core just as momentum to redesign and expand school time is accelerating.  From Massachusetts to Arizona, Florida to New York, policymakers are investing in initiatives to add learning time to the school schedule. Sponsored by The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation, the report offers a series of recommendations to policymakers and education leaders to help schools take advantage of expanded time in order to better meet the challenges of Common Core implementation.

Watch the webcast beginning at 10:00 a.m. (EST) on Friday, January 31 here, and read the full report here.