Expanded Learning Time / New York City

What We Do

ELT/NYC is a three-year demonstration project that seeks to expand learning time by at least 30 percent in 10 New York City public and middle schools, with more than 2,300 students enrolled. TASC manages the project, which launched in the 2008-09 school year, in partnership with the New York City Department of Education and the Department of Youth and Community Development. Our goal is to improve students’ academic achievement while supporting their healthy social, physical, creative and civic development and responding to the needs of working parents.

Each school partners with a community organization to expand learning time to 6 PM every day school is in session. Students get more time for academic instruction and support, as well as diverse enrichments and sports. Teachers work side-by-side with community organization under the leadership of the principal, who assures that activities after 3 PM are connected to the school day.

Why We Do It

	See the difference ELT/NYC makes:

Across the nation, schools operate on an outdated schedule of approximately 180 days a year, seven hours or less per day, with kids spending fewer than a quarter of their waking hours in class. Too few students attain proficiency in core content areas, and too few earn enough credits to graduate. Many schools are forced to limit the experiential learning through which kids develop wide-ranging skills, create and analytical habits of mind and the ability to team up to solve problems.

With President Barack Obama leading the call to re-size the school day and year, we have an unprecedented opportunity to give kids the time and support they need to master challenging content and discover their talents through arts, sports, internships and other enriching endeavors that motivate them to overcome barriers to success. If we want kids to learn more, we need to give them more time and different ways to learn.

How We Do It

Our model is built on the elements of the most effective, research-tested after-school programs: strong school-community partnerships, principal leadership and a rich and varied curriculum that offers kids multiple ways to master core skills and knowledge.

TASC helps schools and community organizations form partnerships; helps them raise and integrate funds; and supports them through planning, implementation and independent evaluation of expanded learning time in their schoolss.

Core elements of ELT/NYC include:

• At least 30 percent more learning time than in a traditional day
• School and community partnersrs collaborate on planning and professional development and lead diverse, engaging activities
• Students have supper or snack
• Programs meet sustainable cost models