Earlier this month Massachusettts 2020, NCTL's state affiliate, joined with leaders in early education and from the business community as well as leading superintendents and mayors to launch the Building on What Works Coalition. The Coalition is committed to positioning cities and towns to accelerate progress in ensuring all children in Massachusetts have the learning opportunities critical for success.  

 

We believe change is needed in our schools. Not just for the sake of change, but to prepare students for a world that is increasingly competitive: in colleges, in the 21st century workplace, and in the global economy. We believe expanded learning time is the vehicle for that change.

Research

Both research and practice indicate that adding time to the school schedule can have a meaningfully positive impact on student achievement and, indeed, upon a child’s entire educational experience. Many researchers have studied the impact of time on learning and their research underscores a central point: that while more time in schools is valuable, time is a resource that must be used well to realize its full potential.

Empower Teachers

Expanded learning time empowers teachers, by ensuring they have the time to meet regularly for structured collaboration, consistently analyze student data, and share instructional practices.

Teachers in expanded-time schools are also strengthening instruction through time dedicated to professional development and peer observation embedded in the school day.

Raise Achievement

Expanded learning time can raise achievement by ensuring students have more time to benefit from instruction tailored to meet their individual needs. Not only does more time allow for longer class periods in which students can examine topics in greater depth, but expanded-time schools are also able to set aside whole periods each day to focus on small-group instruction to address and overcome student learning deficits.

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