Research over the past decade has shown that there are a number of factors which contribute to increased student achievement and overall school performance. This statement is directed at only one of those factors — Time on Task.

The findings associated with the Time on Task research, by necessity, require the school administrators to examine the school department's concern for teacher-approved conferences, teacher workshops, class field trips, music lessons during the school day, assemblies and social responsibilities relating to such issues as Red Cross Blood Drives and various Math and Read-a-Thons. Although the school administrators recognize that each one of the examples cited above contains inherent values to the students and the community at large, it is none the less important that an examination be made of the proper balance necessary to provide for quality on timed task instruction while allowing for expanded and extended student learning experiences. The relationship between the school day accommodating enriching and socially responsible opportunities while sustaining a most appropriate instructional time frame inherent in this statement. The primary yardstick for establishing this balance will be whether or not classroom objectives and the school board's philosophy and goals are being fulfilled.

The goals of this policy statement are to:

A. Obtain optimal instructional time on task; and

B. Continue to allow for students to experience quality programs which would broaden their academic and social awareness and provide them with well-planned and meaningful learning experiences external to the classroom.

ADOPTED: ?
RECODED: June 1998
REVISED: September 13, 2005