Resource

Expanded Learning, Expanded Opportunity

July 07, 2015

How Four Communities Are Working to Improve Education for Their Students

America's Promise
Related Promises:
Caring AdultsEffective EducationSafe Places

Expanded Learning, Expanded Opportunity: How Four Communities Are Working to Improve Education for Their Students analyzes case studies of “more and better learning time” efforts around the country.

With support from the Ford Foundation, America’s Promise Alliance looked in Grand Rapids, Mich.; Louisville, Ky.; Memphis, Tenn. and Rochester, N.Y. to see how time spent out of the classroom improved outcomes for students in low-income neighborhoods and low-performing schools.

Just as different names are used for the same concept in different communities – expanded learning, extended learning or out-of-school-time opportunities – there is no typical approach to effective programs. The report highlights the challenges, successes, variation and innovation present in each community profiled in the report.

  • Grand Rapids
    Through cross-sector collaboration, Grand Rapids went from a community with no school-based expanded learning opportunities to one with many, all fortified by a network of community and philanthropic support.
  • Louisville
    As part of an effort to increase high school graduation rates, Louisville leaders made a bet on out-of-school time programs run by community organizations. Louisville’s strategy called for increasing capacity, participation and quality – especially for older youth – and ensuring that parents and young people were aware of and could access local programs.
  • Memphis
    Too few Memphis students graduate from high school; even fewer graduate prepared for postsecondary education. Nonprofit organizations targeting poor and struggling students with expanded learning opportunities are proving to be effective partners, raising student achievement and aspirations.
  • Rochester
    Rochester’s “reimagined school day” is not merely an extension of classes in the afternoon. It’s an innovative effort that fully integrates community-based organizations into the school day – from planning to the measurement of success.

For a synthesis of lessons learned, go to the America’s Promise news story. 

About the Author

America's Promise Alliance

Mission & Purpose

America’s Promise Alliance is the nation’s largest partnership dedicated to improving the lives of children and youth. America's Promise brings together 350 national organizations representing nonprofits, businesses, communities, educators and policymakers. America’s Promise focuses on ending the high school dropout crisis and ensuring that students graduate ready for college and the 21st century workforce. The Grad Nation campaign, launched in 2010, is the centerpiece of these efforts. The high school dropout crisis demonstrates a critical shortage of the Five Promises in the lives of millions of children.

The Five Promises

The Five Promises are the fundamental resources that young people need to succeed in life. They are: Caring Adults, Safe Places, A Healthy Start, Effective Education, and Opportunities to Help Others. The work of America's Promise is built around the framework of ensuring that more young people experience more of the Promises. Children who receive at least four of the Five Promises are much more likely than those who experience only one or zero Promises to succeed academically, socially and civically. They are more likely to avoid violence, contribute to their communities and achieve high grades in school. Receiving at least four of the Five Promises also appears to mitigate gaps across racial and economic boundaries. To experience the full power of the Promises, young people must experience these critical supports throughout their lives — in their families, at schools and out in their communities.

Leadership

America’s Promise Alliance is guided by leaders from all sectors of American life: The business community; nonprofits, community groups, policymakers, experts in children’s and youth issues, concerned individuals and young people.

Our History

America’s Promise grew out of the Presidents’ Summit for America’s Future in 1997 where Presidents Clinton, Bush, Carter and Ford (with Nancy Reagan representing President Reagan), challenged America to make children and youth a national priority. Building on the legacy of Founding Chairman General Colin Powell, America's Promise is the leader in forging a strong and effective partnership alliance committed to seeing that children experience the Five Promises.

Expanded Learning Time Low-Income Youth Involvement
The 5 Promises

The 5 Promises represent conditions children need to achieve adult success. The collective work of the Alliance involves keeping these promises to America’s youth. This article relates to the promises highlighted below:

Caring Adults Caring Adults Safe Places Safe Places A Healthy Start A Healthy Start Effective Education Effective Education Opportunities to Help Others Opportunities to Help Others

Other Resources