Extended school years are being considered by districts around the country as educators search for new ways to raise student achievement. The addition of time to the school calendar is also supported by President Barack Obama, who recently stated that American students do not spend enough time in school. This Information Capsule addresses research conducted on extended school years and their impact on student achievement. Although studies have produced inconclusive results on the universal benefits of extended school years, researchers have reached agreement on three key points: quality of time is more important than quantity of time; low income and low ability students benefit most from extended school years; and no relationship has been found between scores on international tests of academic achievement and the amount of time students spend in school. This report also reviews concerns related to extended school years, including their prohibitive cost and their potentially negative impact on businesses that are dependent on the traditional school year. In addition, guidelines districts can follow to increase the likelihood that their extended year programs will produce achievement gains are summarized. (Contains 2 tables.).

This book focuses on special organizational configurations for schools in diverse parts of the world. Some of these new organizational and institutional designs are called multi-service schools, others are called extended service schools and still others are called community learning centers. While these schools have different names and notable different characteristics, they belong in the same category because of a common feature in their design: they connect schools with once-separate community programs and services.Chief among the prototypes for these new organizational and institutional designs are the ones featured in the book’s title. Some are called multi-service schools to indicate that they selectively provide some new programs and services. Others are called extended service schools to indicate that they serve young people beyond the regular school day, seeking influence and control over out-of-school time while enabling alternative teaching-learning strategies, and providing services other than typical “pupil support services.” Still others are called community learning centers, a name that showcases the educational functions and priorities of schools and announcing priorities for adult learning and development. Community schools, still called in some places full-service community schools, serves as a prototype that increasingly positions schools as multi-purpose, multi-component, anchor institutions serving identifiable neighborhoods and entire rural communities. The book is structured to enhance understanding of these organizational prototypes and provides comparative social analysis. It also identifies knowledge needs and gaps as well as developmental territory for the future.

′This is a stimulating and well-researched book that will interest anyone who cares about how our schools should evolve′ - Matters Arising ′What are schools for? What happens when school walls come tumbling down, and school and community become inextricably linked, offering a range of extended provision to young people and opportunities for lifelong learning to adults? How would you lead such a school? David Middlewood and Richard Parker draw upon their personal and researched experience, to explore school leadership within a community which has an extended school at its heart. This is an engaging and purposeful book for researchers and practitioners alike′ - Professor Ann Briggs, Newcastle University, Chair of BELMAS This book shows leaders of all types of schools how to become effective in extended schooling and fulfil ′Every Child Matters′ (ECM) requirements, by building on and adapting their current practices. The authors explain the context of Extended Schools, in the UK and elsewhere, and outline the features of effectiveness in schools and their leaders. The authors provide practical advice using case studies from a range of settings which show what can be achieved across a wide variety of contexts. ′Points to consider′ give advice to readers at all levels, covering staffing and resourcing, as well as the creation and development of successful partnerships in the community. This book is an essential resource for leaders beginning in extended schools, and leaders already working in extended schools across nursery, primary and secondary settings. It is also relevant to governors, inspectors and advisers and leaders studying masters and doctorate courses in Leadership and Education Policy.