Time On Task

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - As the nation focused on the debt reduction, five senators (not all one party) attacked another problem. Concerned with our students' academic performance, they introduced the Time for Innovation Matters in Education, the TIME Act that would accelerate school improvement.

The Act enables public schools including charters to add significantly to the school year by at least 300 hours to expand learning time particularly in high poverty districts.

Local leaders will have flexibility in redesigning schedules and are encouraged to include teachers, parents and community partners in the process.

Educators have long shown that time on task works. More hours to provide instruction and enrichment are correlated to better achievement. That's why using the summer as a learning experience is so important, and the kids who joined reading programs will not have lost skills when they return to school.

Congratulations to the families of 60,000 youngsters in the Free Library of Philadelphia's summer reading program for knowing what matters.

Reported By Dr. Marciene Mattleman, KYW Newsradio