National Study of Children's Time Use in School

Using time diaries from a national sample of elementary school teachers, the Center, in collaboration with sociologists from the University of Michigan, is investigating how students spend their time in school and the variation of activities depending on student, family, or classroom characteristics. Initial findings have revealed that while poor minority students spend time on academic subjects, they have less exposure than their more affluent peers to enrichment activities that enhance overall development.

Future analyses will provide information on time devoted to specific activities such as training in the arts. This study provides rich and practical information about how children across the country are currently spending time in school and how this time is related to other aspects of their development, informing current debates about the length of the school day, the usefulness of enrichment activities, and the minimal time necessary for assimilation of academic subjects.

Funding Sources: MacArthur Research Network on Family and Work; NICHD Family and Child Well-Being Research Network

Contact: Miriam Linver, Ph.D.

Current Social Context of Education Projects

Completed Social Context of Education Projects