This policy brief was written to provide the North Carolina State Board of Education with a summary of research on enhancing effective instructional time. The impetus for extending school time appears to stem from two primary sources: international comparisons, and research on the relationship between time and learning. Research findings indicate that the key to improving achievement is to increase actual learning time. Increases in engaged time and actual learning time will occur only when teachers use appropriate instructional strategies with students who experience repeated successes in learning. Policies that increase the time that students spend in school should therefore be accompanied by strategies aimed at improving instruction and increasing actual learning time. The following recommendations are made for enhancing learning time: (1) decrease absenteeism; (2) increase the amount of time available for instruction; (3) place priorities on content areas; (4) minimize interruptions in instructional time; (5) enhance efficiency of instruction through better administrative management; (6) enhance efficiency of instruction through better instructional management; (7) devise and use strategies to increase student motivation for learning; and (8) use appropriate instructional strategies for individual student abilities and prior knowledge. One figure is included. Contains 26 references. (LMI)