Spotlight on Promising Practices
Additional Academic Time:
Maple Lane Elementary School Balanced Calendar,
Brandywine School District
Maple Lane Elementary School students are offered additional instructional time each year – to get help if they are struggling in some subjects or to participate in enrichment activities, such as karate and photography. Approximately 80 percent of students participate in these optional activities, and by doing so, they attend school approximately 1202 hours, 142 more than the state recommended 1060 hours. Since beginning to offer additional time three years ago, Maple Lane has seen reduced summer learning loss and state standardized test scores improve for all students.
How does it work?
- Maple Lane offers the number of school days as set by Brandywine School District, but they also start earlier in August and are offered 2-3 optional week-long "intersessions" throughout the year. The "balanced calendar" is the result of the recommendations of a committee of community members established in 1999 to investigate alternative calendars in an effort to improve academic performance and summer learning loss.
- Intersessions are open to all students, but students working below standard are strongly encouraged to attend. Tutoring is provided for those students, and enrichment activities are offered, such as karate, cooking, photography, and programs at the local Boys and Girls Club. Each day ends with a school-wide assembly, with a programmed event such as a puppeteer or other activity. Intersessions are funded through grants and agreements with local organizations. Teachers have the option to earn extra pay by teaching during intercessions, and additional certified teachers and volunteers are hired to staff intercessions.
What are the results?
- Student performance has improved: summer learning loss has decreased, and state standardized test scores have increased for all populations. For example, in just three years, third grade student writing scores have improved 34 percent.
- Principal Julie Pecorella describes the balanced calendar as a community-based approach, in which parents, students, and teachers are the strongest advocates for additional learning opportunities for children.
How does Vision 2015 address academic time?
- Vision 2015 recommends that all schools provide additional instructional time for students. Additional time will give individual students the opportunity to meet their academic objectives more effectively, whether for remediation or accelerated learning. Vision 2015 is designed to encourage schools to innovate and use time as they best see fit.
- All Delaware students should be offered additional time to meet standards or for enrichment activities. Maple Lane provides a stellar example of how schools can engage students beyond the required number of hours.
Where can I learn more?
