Should Kids Be Clocking Overtime?

Advocates of longer school days say they lead to improved academic performance, but the research shows keeping kids longer isn’t intrinsically better.

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Proponents of students spending more time in class point to countries with longer school days and school years, as well as many U.S. charter schools, and say it’s a no-brainer—the students at these schools achieve higher, so U.S. public schools should follow suit.

But does more time behind a desk actually equal more learning?

Erika Patall, an educational psychologist in the College of Education, has conducted a comprehensive review of major studies on the topic that have been done since 1985. She found that the solution is more complicated than it seems.

“Many who are in favor of longer school days say it’s necessary in order to help students—especially in urban schools—catch up in reading and mathematics,” Patall says. “The research in this area suggests that quality needs to take precedence over quantity, though. At least one early study indicated that many U.S. students may be on task during only about one-third of the school day, so there’s a good chance changes could be made to improve learning without adding hours to the school day.”

Some experts also have asserted that more time in school can positively impact students in other ways. But few attempts have been made to test whether or not more time in school improves student motivation, self-esteem, conduct, discipline, attendance, fatigue, or family dynamics.

“There has been little research done to determine the optimum amount of additional school time that balances out costs and benefits,” Patall says. “Where funding for extending school hours and days isn’t available, alternative approaches such as after school programs, summer school, and other quality out-of-school services have the potential to be effective.”

Research also shows that parents, in general, favor extended school days and years, while students have mixed feelings. Like them, Patall isn’t completely convinced but says, all other things being equal, extending school time may support student learning to a small extent.

“It’s just common sense that additional school time won’t yield positive outcomes if it’s not used for meaningful instructional activities or if the instruction is of poor quality,” says Patall. “If students are to be more successful, in addition to adding time, it may also be important to focus on teacher quality, strong school leadership, rigorous and continuous professional development, a positive school culture, and strong family engagement.”

Read more about lengthening school days here.