Stay Longer, Learn More?

Just do it... or else!

That about sums up the strategy of No Child Left Behind for closing achievement gaps. And it's becoming increasingly apparent that it hasn't worked. State test scores are up, proving that test prep does prepare kids for tests, but the National Assessment of Educational Progress, which asks questions about the same skills but in somewhat different formats, shows no real impact.

That's prompted many people in education and politics to look for a new approach, and one that's gaining traction simply recognizes that it matters what happens outside the 12 years, 180 days per year, 6 hours per day that kids are in school.

It's been recognized (although not much talked about) for years that low-income students learn as much or nearly as much when they're in school as wealthier kids. It's when they're out of school that they learn less.

Pre-school for all may be the Next Big Thing. There's now plenty of evidence that quality pre-school, with well-trained teachers, can change kids' lives, not only in tiny, hot-house experiments but in big, state-wide programs like Oklahoma's.

Some districts and states are also looking at extending the number of hours in the school day. Massachusetts is one, and the experiments there have the support and involvement of the teachers' unions.

If any readers are working in one of the schools that are trying an extended day, please use the comment feature of this blog to tell us: Are you and the kids exhausted, or excited? Are they learning more? How are you dealing with schedule conflicts like sports and jobs?

In short, is this a good idea on the ground, and not just in a book?