Education
Expanded Time, Enriching Experiences: Expanded Learning Time Schools and Community Organization Partnerships
Kathleen Traphagen and Christine Johnson-Staub. Expanded learning time, or ELT, is gaining traction among educators and policymakers as a potent school improvement strategy. Over the past several years many high-performing charter schools and charter school networks across the country have used their autonomy to create longer school days and years for the express purpose of improving student outcomes. February 2010.
Critical Hours: Afterschool Programs and Educational Success
Beth M. Miller This report, commissioned by the Nellie Mae Education Foundation, reviews the effects of out-of-school time on children during early adolescence. The authors argue that afterschool programs offer the building blocks adolescents need to be successful in school and in life. Adolescent development, an overview of afterschool programs, effective program strategies and discussion of the critical after school hours are highlighted throughout the report. May 2003.
Time for a Change: The Promise of Extended-Time Schools for Promoting Student Achievement
This research report by Massachusetts 2020 examines effective practices employed by some extended-time schools in order to show how they utilize the extra time and what benefits come from it. It acts as a reference guide for schools considering this model to increase student achievement. Issues and challenges of funding such programs are presented in addition to common responses for those involved, for example, students, parents and teachers. Fall 2005.
Claiming Common Ground: State Policymaking for Improving College Readiness and Success
This report by The National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education highlights aspects of four state policies for improving college preparedness and success and the connections between K-12 and higher education. The authors offer recommendations at the federal, state, local, and higher education levels for ensuring that students are ready for college. March 2006.
The Silent Epidemic: Perspectives of High School Dropouts
This report, for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation takes a look at high school dropouts. In particular, they describe the students who leave school before graduation and the outline the reasons for dropping out. They also touch on some of the regrets of those that dropped out. The authors identify factors which might help to keep these students in school, as well as the policy implications which follow. March 2006.
Identifying Potential Dropouts: Key Lessons for Building an Early Warning Data System
The goal of this white paper commissioned for the project “Moving Forward: High Standards and High Graduation Rates,” the 3 state, joint project of Achieve, Inc. and Jobs for the Future is to inform and advise policy makers about the research on the issue of dropouts. It presents the best practices for creating early warning data systems that will assist in the identification of students who are at risk of dropping out and could benefit from intervention. The paper discusses what students drop out and why, and what can be done in terms of prevention. June 2006.
Reclaiming the American Dream
This report by The Bridgespan Group seeks to identify those supports that seem to have the biggest impact on assisting low-income students to and through college. The authors look at academic preparation, disparities in preparation and how to address them; expectations of the students, their families and their schools; and college access and affordability. Finally, an overview is presented of next steps toward making change for low-income students and their access to college. October 2006.
On the Clock: Rethinking the Way Schools Use Time
This report reviews the political and educational impact of reforming time spent in school. Research about various time configurations for schools, including hours per day and days per year, is presented along with associated pros and cons. Recommendations are made for how policymakers can contribute to making the most of the time students have in school. January 2007.
Massachusetts Community Colleges: The Potential for Improving College Attainment
In an effort to improve graduation rates, the Boston Foundation released a report that highlights best practices for supporting students’ in attaining college degrees. The author outlines strategies for working with both traditional age students and adult students. Specifically, this report discusses the role of community colleges in various aspects of the MA workforce. The author also offers various approaches and recommendations for improving the community college system. February 2007.
The Learning Season: The Untapped Power of Summer to Advance Student Achievement
This report, commissioned by the Nellie Mae Education Foundation, examines the achievement gap and what can be done to decrease the gap. Specifically, they touch on how participation in summer programming can make a difference in closing the gap. The author also offers recommendations for building effective summer programs and for policy around this issue. June 2007.