Rapid Response: Flex Quarter Schedules and Extended School Years

A state department of education served by the Southeast Comprehensive Center requested information on flex quarter schedules and extended school years, specifically strategies, strengths and weaknesses, and examples of states that have implemented these initiatives.

To expand learning opportunities for students, a number of states are considering initiatives such as flex quarter schedules and extended school years. According to Gewertz (2009), “A study for the Center for American Progress found that more than 300 initiatives to extend learning time were launched between 1991 and 2007 in high-poverty and high-minority schools in 30 states.” He adds that, “A compilation of extended-day activity at the state level by the Education Commission of the States found more than 50 efforts since 2000.”

Flex quarter schedules and extended school years are just two among many initiatives (i.e., extended school day, afterschool, summer learning, etc.) that various states are considering or implementing to potentially have a positive impact on student learning and achievement (Farbman, 2010; Harris & Princiotta, 2009). Refer to Appendix, Table 1. Use of Flex Quarter Schedules (FQS) and Extended School Years (ESY) for detailed information on strategies and state implementation of these initiatives.