Increased Learning Time
Explore resources designed to help educators provide access to programs that effectively increase learning time. 
- View a visual diagram of all six practices
- Watch a topic overview and download planning templates
- Listen to an expert
Explore the subtopics below to learn more about the recommended practices:
To learn more about the research underlying these practices, view the IES Practice Guide, Structuring Out-of-School Time to Improve Academic Achievement.
Encouraging Participation Through Communication
Increased Learning Time > Maximize Attendance > See How It Works
Parents describe communications with school staff about an after-school program. Having a point of contact during school and after-school hours increased their buy-in and participation in the...
Resource Type
School Example
Lessons Learned From a Districtwide Evaluation
Increased Learning Time > Evaluate Program > See How It Works
Watch a video with an after-school program director describing the use of program data. The school district used the results to guide program improvement and design. To learn more about the data...
Resource Type
School Example
Asking the Right Questions: Using District Goals to Assess Program Effects
Increased Learning Time > Evaluate Program > See How It Works
Listen to an interview with a district administrator describing the importance of collecting and analyzing data to document results of an after-school program. This district organizes a...
Resource Type
School Example
Rethinking the School Day
Increased Learning Time > Structure Time > See How It Works
This interview describes how the school redesigned the school day to add two more hours of instructional time. Students received both more academic support and enrichment activities. Related...
Resource Type
School Example
Benchmark Madness
Increased Learning Time > Maximize Attendance > See How It Works
Expanded learning time schools can offer special events and enrichment programs to reward students for spending extra time in the classroom during the school year, weekend, and summer. The...
Resource Type
School Example
Planning an Expanded Learning Day
Increased Learning Time > Structure Time > See How It Works
Listen to how a school planned and implemented an expanded learning day initiative. Based on student needs, the school budgeted extra time for literacy instruction and planning meetings. To learn...
Resource Type
School Example
Second-Grade Units of Study for Reading Workshop
Increased Learning Time > Structure Time > See How It Works
An IES expert panel recommended that increased learning time be used to provide more individualized instruction. This reading and writing workshop lesson plan depends on individualized support to...
Resource Type
Sample Material
Professional Development for English Language Development Strategies
Increased Learning Time > Organize Instruction > See How It Works
This document describes a professional development workshop designed to help after-school teachers think about the English language development strategies they use with their students. To learn...
Resource Type
Sample Material
Teacher Observation Report
Increased Learning Time > Organize Instruction > See How It Works
The observation report is designed to aid the lead teacher in observing after-school teachers for program improvement purposes. In this report, the lead teacher is asked to describe the activity...
Resource Type
Sample Material
After-School Weekly Schedule
Increased Learning Time > Organize Instruction > See How It Works
Use various tools included in this spreadsheet to observe how one after-school program structures its scheduling, pay, and curricula. The program designs its scheduling based on how many students...
Resource Type
Sample Material
Guest Speaker Summary Information Form
Increased Learning Time > Organize Instruction > See How It Works
One after-school program provides an opportunity to bring expertise and knowledge from the community into the school by inviting guest speakers and coordinating workshops. This form provides a...
Resource Type
Sample Material
Strengthening Alignment Assessment Form
Increased Learning Time > Align Instruction > See How It Works
This form lists ten criteria designed to support collaboration around common goals between school staff and after-school program staff. Look over Linking School and After School: A Continuum of...
Resource Type
Sample Material
