How would students and teachers benefit from more time?
Research and experience suggest that more time in school delivers five broad benefits to teaching and learning. First, more time allows for more “time on task” because longer days usually mean longer class periods and longer classes give teachers the flexibility to allow students to spend more time practicing and working with particular information and ideas. Second, teachers can delve more deeply into subject matter because, with longer class time, they are able to explore the same amount of content as in shorter class, but in a number of contexts and applications. Third, classes like art, music and gym can be re-included in the day after they have been squeezed out over the last few years. These subjects broaden students’ educational experiences and engage children in learning who may not find core academic subjects as approachable. Fourth, more time allows for greater interaction between teacher and student and deeper relationships between teacher and student, not surprisingly, usua
