Promising Practices & Lessons Learned

Massachusetts’ 22 ELT schools redesigned their school schedules to offer 300 more hours of learning than other schools around the state.

Massachusetts’ 22 ELT schools redesigned their school schedules to offer 300 more hours of learning than other schools around the state. These pioneers of a “new school day” offer compelling examples of how schools can leverage additional time to enhance learning and provide a well-rounded education.

This section examines how schools have improved their school day to offer more time for academics, enrichment activities, teacher planning and professional development, and school partnerships. It also examines how ELT schools have managed the important logistics of school redesign, including budgeting, schedules, and staffing. To view information, examples, case studies, and videos on these important topics, click on one of the links below.

Educators looking for more information on the defining characteristics of strong ELT schools may also want to consult Massachusetts 2020’s ELT Expectations and Indicators, a rubric and self-assessment tool developed in partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education that is the backbone of Massachusetts Expanded Learning Time Initiative and Massachusetts 2020’s Technical Assistance Program for ELT schools.