As Push for Longer Hours Forms, Intriguing Models Arise in D.C.

Jay Mathews with his usual insightful writing for the Washington Post (and a nice plug for KIPP), this time on the benefits of an extended school day and year:

Elena Silva, senior policy analyst for the Washington-based think tank Education Sector, said in a new report that school leaders being pushed to improve U.S. student achievement are turning in increasing numbers "to one of the most fundamental features of the public education system: the amount of time students spend in school."

D.C. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty (D), hoping to take control of the city's schools, has been admiring the District's Knowledge Is Power Program charter schools, with their nine-hour school days, Saturday classes and mandatory three-week summer school, said Mafara Hobson, a spokeswoman for his office.

"Not only are the school days lengthened," she said, "but schools like KIPP also constantly examine and work to improve how time is used within the day to ensure that students are exposed to the maximum amount of effective learning time possible."

The oldest KIPP school in the city, KEY Academy, has test scores higher than any other D.C. middle school.

The advantages of more time, however, "are by no means certain or universal," unless the time is used effectively with focused, engaging teaching, Silva wrote.

Studies suggest that poor and minority students, in particular, benefit more from extended time, especially if they go to summer school, according to Silva's report.

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As Push for Longer Hours Forms, Intriguing Models Arise in D.C.

By Jay Mathews
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, February 5, 2007; B01

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/04/AR2007020401163.html

For most of his last year at the Washington Jesuit Academy in Northeast Washington, middle-schooler Troy Presbury has arrived with the sun, about 7:30 a.m., and not left until after dark, dragging himself out of a required study hall at 7:15 p.m.

"I feel like: Hurry up and get home so I can go to sleep," the 13-year-old said.

Still, the long day will pay off, Troy said. "I am going to go to a good high school and a good college and make a good living," he said, "and I think it is worth it."

Few students in the country come close to putting in the 12-hour days of Troy and his classmates. But the school's students, mostly low-income African Americans, have shown such improvement on test scores with the expanded schedule that D.C. officials are looking to add similar programs to the city's public schools.