Does Expanded Learning Time = Expanded Learning?

I came across a long lost article that was passed out by my Executive Director at a board meeting.  I had the good intention of reading it but then totally forgot it as life got in the way.  You all know what I mean.  The article was written by Karen Pittman called “Caution:  Expanded Learning Time ≠ Expanded Learning”.

I initially skimmed it knowing the truth of the article that “expanding learning does not necessarily expand learning opportunities”.  She advocates for balance and collaboration with the community.  We need to build "skills and competencies that contribute to academic achievement and to overall readiness for successful adulthood".

My daughter is going through teacher certification in Biology and Math.  I was proofing her paper on several observations she did on high school classrooms in a very nice section of one of Connecticut’s towns (this will remain nameless).  My daughter is a sharp cookie.  What she observed should not be happening in any school (but we all know it does).  Teaching by power point is a "go to" for many teachers, SMART boards and other technology  languish.  One teacher actively ignored a student’s questions in order to talk sports to others.  Lecture and handouts ruled the classes, there was no variety.  Many teachers were not tapping into their students’ willingness to learn.

We do not need more of the “same” in expanded learning time, we need balance.  We need to address the whole system and quit putting band-aids on it to make people feel good and hoping that we can stop the hemorrhaging just a little.  We want our children to be actively engaged in LEARNING.

I would recommend that you read Ms. Pittman’s article.  It’s short but informative.  You can find it here:
http://www.afterschoolalliance.org/afterschoolsnack/ASnack.cfm?idBlog=428287A7-FDCF-B4DF-DE04DA4C4298E6CA