"Making Every Moment Count" in the school day

“Making Every Moment Count: Maximizing Quality Instructional Time,” a collection of short papers by nine educational organizations, is now available. The free publication, in part, responds to the narrowing of curriculum that has occurred under No Child Left Behind.

“One predicted consequence of high-stakes testing is a recalculation of the school day so there is more time for test preparation, including a greater concentration on test material,” said Richard Long, director of government relations for the International Reading Association.

Suggestions for ways to enhance instructional time are offered by the American Association of School Librarians, the International Reading Association, the National Association of Secondary School Principals, the National Council for Geographic Education, the National Council for Social Studies, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, the National Education Association, the National Geographic Education Foundation, and the National Science Teachers Association.

The organizations are committed to a comprehensive, balanced curriculum that honors the integrity of content disciplines and aligns teaching with standards. The group also urges that there be more training for teachers and more time for school personnel to collaborate, and recommends further research in this critical area.

For further information, contact Barbara Tierney in IRA’s Washington office at 202-624-8800, btierney@reading.org. To download “Making Every Moment Count,” visit this IRA web page.