In the fall of 2005, Boston schools began exploring the education reform strategy of extending the day for middle grades. The extended school day gives students more time to learn at a crucial time in their education. The intermediate grade level years provide the necessary preparation for students to enter high school, college, and the workforce. Last year, Boston applied for and received a $40,000 planning grant for three schools.
Boston has received grants again this year for three other schools. These three Boston campuses were among ten campuses statewide that included five districts. The other four districts are Cambridge, Fall River, Malden and Worcester, which shared a total of more than $2.2 million in implementation grants with Boston to extend learning time at the ten schools.
The three Boston schools are:
or Clarence R. Edwards Middle in Charlestown;
o Umana/Barnes Middle in East Boston; Y
or James P. Timilty Middle in Roxbury.
Beginning in September 2006, Edwards and Timilty Middle Schools will begin classes at 7:20 am, Monday through Friday. Classes will end at 4:30 pm, Monday through Thursday, and at 11:40 am on Friday. Umana/Barnes will start classes at 7:35 am, Monday through Friday; end classes at 4:30 pm, Monday through Thursday; and ends at 11:40 am on Friday.
As with schools last year, Boston enlisted the help of administrators, union representatives, teachers, counselors, principals, parents, and community partners. They worked together to develop the plans and implementation of the extended day at each school. Additionally, the nonprofit organization, Massachusetts 2020, provided support in the planning and implementation process. The 2020 group is dedicated to expanding educational and economic opportunities for children and their families within the state of Massachusetts.
Interim Superintendent of Boston Schools Michael Contompasis noted that both students and teachers benefit from this extra school time. Students receive more classroom instruction time in the core academic subjects that are crucial to their success in high school and college. There will also be more time available for students for tutoring, arts, and recreation. Additionally, teachers are given more time to plan lessons, set schedules, and for professional development activities.
The Massachusetts Department of Education provides the grants from its Extended Learning Time to Support Student Success grant program.
Boston schools have more than 58,000 students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade at 145 schools. The hope of all involved is to continue expanding this extended school time reform strategy; so student achievement continues to rise, and students are better prepared for high school, college, and the workforce.