Expanding Learning: A Powerful Strategy for Equity

The disparity in educational outcomes between student populations is one of the most serious challenges facing our public education system. Gaps in test scores, graduation rates, and college readiness pose a fundamental problem that school officials must solve.

With 80% of waking hours spent outside of the classroom, education leaders cannot address these inequities by looking at the school day alone. Free and affordable learning experiences after school and in the summer are essential strategies for equalizing student outcomes.

This brief, in partnership with Policy Analysis for California Education (PACE), describes why and how California’s local education leaders are mobilizing expanded learning to close the opportunity gap, and recommends some key steps for districts.