Education

Expanded Learning Initiative Unveiled for New York

By Nora Fleming — May 01, 2013 1 min read
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Twenty middle schools in New York will be part of a new expanded learning time pilot next school year that adds hours and intensive reading instruction to the day, according to news released this week from TASC.

The pilot will expand the work of the Middle School Quality Initiative, started in 2011 to improve college and career pathways for disadvantaged middle school students in the city. The new efforts will be supported by $4.65 million in funding from the Robin Hood Foundation (a New York-based foundation focused on combating poverty) and the City Council, in addition to $1.55 million from the New York state education department.

TASC, The After-School Corporation, and Harvard University’s education innovation lab will collaborate on how to best use the extra hours in the school schedule and how to structure the reading tutoring. It’s estimated that 2,000 students will participate in this component of the program within the next three years.

The 20 schools have yet to be selected but will be chosen from a pool of 40 that will be joining the Middle School Quality Initiative this fall. Among other things, it provides additional funding and professional development for teachers at high-needs schools.

A version of this news article first appeared in the Beyond School blog.