extended learning time overview

Successful middle schools provide students with opportunities to learn outside the school day that connect and align with students’ existing academic programs.

Overview of Principles and Practices

Principle 1: Align the Extended Learning Time (ELT) program academically with the school day.

  • Practice 1: Use ELT program coordinators to develop relationships and maintain ongoing communication between schools and the ELT program about student academic performance and personal and social issues.
  • Practice 2: Designate a school staff person to coordinate communication with ELT programs.
  • Practice 3: Connect ELT instruction to school instruction by identifying school goals and learning objectives.
  • Practice 4: Coordinate with the school to identify staff for ELT programs.

Principle 2: Maximize student participation and attendance.

  • Practice 1: Design program features to meet the needs and preferences of students and parents.
  • Practice 2: Promote awareness of the ELT program within schools and to parents.
  • Practice 3: Use attendance data to identify students facing difficulties in attending the program.

Principle 3: Adapt instruction to individual and small group needs.

  • Practice 1: Use formal and informal assessment to inform academic instruction.
  • Practice 2: Break students into small groups and use one-on-one tutoring if possible.
  • Practice 3: Provide professional development and ongoing instructional support to ELT instructors.

Principle 4: Provide engaging learning experiences.

  • Practice 1: Make learning relevant by incorporating practical examples and connecting instruction to student interests and experiences.
  • Practice 2: Make learning active through collaborative learning and hands-on academic activities.
  • Practice 3: Build adult-student relationships among ELT program participants.

Principle 5: Assess program performance and use the results for program improvement.

  • Practice 1: Develop an evaluation plan for ELT programs.
  • Practice 2: Collect program and student performance data.
  • Practice 3: Analyze the data and use findings for program improvement.