Enrichment

Student ReadingELT provides more time for students to participate in enrichment activities such as dance, drama, music, art, sports, and foreign languages. In recent years, under pressure to focus on tested subjects like math and English, many schools have cut back on time for these kinds of classes. Research shows schools spend about one-third less time on these types of enrichment activities than they did 10 years ago. However, research also shows—and experienced educators know—hat these types of activities play a fundamental role in helping students gain new skills and interests, build self-confidence, and become more deeply engaged in school and learning. In many ELT schools, these enrichment activities play an important role in helping students develop 21st-century skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, public speaking, and the ability to communicate ideas clearly.

Strong ELT schools link additional time for enrichment to state standards and use enrichment activities to help reinforce learning in academic areas. For example, students in a journalism class are practicing their writing skills while working with their peers to produce a monthly school newspaper.

ELT schools take many approaches to integrating time for enrichment into the longer school day and year. Some schools, like the Jacob Hiatt Magnet School in Worcester, Massachusetts, have chosen to embed enrichment in core academic subjects by inviting cultural or community partners to offer programming that is aligned with specific curricular goals. See Embedded Enrichment Through Cultural Partners for more information on this approach. Other schools have created an additional period in the school day for enrichment classes, which are taught either by regular teachers, specialists, or outside partners. Often students are able to choose from a wide range of class options. Brief descriptions of some enrichment activities offered at Expanded Learning Time Schools are provided below as well as two short videos about ELT enrichment programming.

Because many of these programs are new as part of ELT, schools need to consider how to staff and manage the programs. See Strategies for Staffing and Managing Enrichment Programs for a description of some staffing models used by ELT schools.

Going Beyond the Basics: Sample Enrichment Classes at ELT Schools

Civic Engagement and Leadership Development
English Language Arts
Foreign Language and Cultural Studies
Health & Wellness
Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM)
Visual and Performing Arts

Videos

Arts Education in a New School Day

Expanding Learning Opportunities Through Community Partnerships