As schools struggle to close the achievement gap and meet state and national accountability standards, policymakers and education leaders are calling for increased time spent in school by adding time to the school day or lengthening the school year. All states require that students attend a minimum number of instructional days or hours per school year. The majority of states require 180 days, although some states require more or fewer and others measure time by hours rather than days.
Research suggests that more time in school, if used effectively, positively impacts teaching and learning. Additional time may allow for project-based learning that increases student engagement, richer interactions between teachers and students, and greater opportunities to participate in non-core areas like art and music. Additional time may also be teacher-focused, allowing to common planning periods and on-site professional development.
Efforts to increase learning time have occurred at the school, district, and state level. Many charter schools, particularly KIPP Schools, require students to spent nearly 60% more time in school - often from 8am - 5:30, sometimes on Saturdays, and for more weeks - than traditional schools. Massachusetts has offered a number of schools the opportunity to extend the school day by 30% (2 hours). The New Orleans Recovery School District, headed by Superintendent Paul Vallas, implemented extended day and year initiatives to increase time on task; the district has been both test scores and graduation rates rise. Oklahoma considered legislation in 2008 that would have increased the number of instructional days, but has been stymied by cost issues.
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Extended Day and Year Initiatives
