Sue Flicop

We should always be open to exploring new innovations in education.  There are many ideas on how to improve education that would be interesting to pilot here in Newton.  With proper planning,  support, and review, we can evaluate which ones are helpful and sustainable over time.

One example to consider is the idea of expanded learning time (ELT).  I recently heard Chris Gabrieli, author of Time to Learn, talk about this subject, along with two staff people from a Framingham school with a longer school day.  It’s true that most of the schools that have an expanded day have very different concerns than we have here in Newton–issues like low graduation rates and low MCAS scores.  But Newton still does have challenges in the school system that might be addressed by having a longer school day.  It is worth exploring this idea and how it might be applied to a school in Newton.

It is important, though, when considering all these different ideas to be sure there is consensus in the particular school community among parents and staff to try a new program.  Additionally, resources needed for a pilot must not take away from those needed in other schools, and should be integrated into a long-range financial plan in order to ensure sustainability.