Jay Mathews reporting on an interesting study about 655 schools that have extended learning time by at least 25% (about 10% are KIPPs). The conclusion reminds me of spending more money: doing so in the absence of reform is a waste, but can be an important contributor to reform if reform is actually going on:

I got an advance look at the first count of U.S. public schools that have significantly expanded learning time. The report, released Monday by the National Center on Time & Learning, reveals that a surprisingly large number -- 655 -- give students an average of 25 percent more time than the standard 6 1/2 hours a day, 180 days a year. But I was disappointed that only about 160 in that group are regular public schools.

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