Research-based answers are offered to the following questions on instructional time: (1) Can student achievement be improved by making time to teach? (2) What can a classroom teacher do to make time to teach? and (3) How can a school or district help the teacher? Factors related to instructional time which are described as having an effect on achievement include engaged time, direct instruction techniques, assignments which have a high probability of success, and orderly, warm classroom environments. In conjunction with these factors, seven activities which waste time are listed. Positive steps presented for teachers include adopting direct teaching techniques, increasing student responding, maintaining an orderly classroom with an academic focus, and selecting tasks that students need. Suggestions offered for schools or districts to help the teacher are scheduling uninterrupted time for learning, reviewing curriculum objectives, eliminating testing that is not used for instructional improvement, upgrading teachers' capabilities in direct instruction and instructional planning, and expressing support for academic achievement. The suggestions for schools and districts are accompanied by lists of resources. (DC)