Educators in 28 districts have been awarded planning grants the Massachusetts Department of Education to explore ways to increase the learning time in their districts by at least 300 hours per school year. The Board of Education voted on Tuesday to award grants of up to $11,000 to each of the 28 districts that applied for the Expanded Learning Time (ELT) planning grants. Middleborough has received a $7,000 grant. (October 30, 2007, US Fed News)