Afterschool Programs

Afterschool Fosters Success in School

By: Afterschool Alliance (2008)

This brief describes how afterschool programs can contribute to student success by helping children's social and emotional development, avoidance of risky behaviors, improved school attendance, engagement in learning, and improved test scores and grades.

Time to Learn

By: Christopher Gabrieli and Warren Goldstein (2008)

In this excerpt from the book Time to Learn: How a New School Schedule Is Making Smarter Kids, Happier Parents & Safer Neighborhoods, the authors discuss how a longer school day can support achievement in reading and math while providing a richer, broader curriculum. The book discusses extended day success stories in public schools throughout the country, the impact on teachers and families, and benefits for English language learners and children with learning disabilities.

More Schools Turn to Extended Days

By: Ellen Delisio (2007)

Hours of test preparation, especially in underperforming schools, has left little time for electives or even some of the un-tested basic subjects. Adding time to the school day and year has helped some schools improve their scores and flesh out their curriculums.

Key Recommendations for After-School Programs

By: Communities in Schools (2006)

Communities In Schools describes essential elements of good after-school programs so that research findings are accessible to practitioners. Included are key elements of program implementation.

Five That Work: Quality After-School Programs

By: Communities in Schools (2006)

From Communities in Schools, this article profiles five after-school programs that have been shown to be effective in rigorous independent evaluations.

Afterschool Achievement: Strengthening Literacy and Other Skills

By: Geoffrey Alan (2006)

What can afterschool programs offer that the regular school day can't? To build literacy skills and school achievement, think outside the classroom.

High-Performing Afterschool Programs Share Five Characteristics

By: Southwest Educational Development Laboratory (2006)

Afterschool programs have been found to contribute to school success. Find out more about the characteristics that all strong programs share.

Afterschool Programs: A Wise Public Investment

By: Afterschool Alliance (2005)

Afterschool advocates and practitioners face a daily struggle for adequate funding. This brief describes how both research and personal stories reveal resoundingly that afterschool programs are a worthy investment.

Effective Out-of-School Time Reading Programs

By: Kirsten Miller, David Snow, and Patricia Lauer (2004)

Reading instruction does not need to stop when the bell rings. Using out-of-school time (OST) can be an effective way to boost academic skills while engaging students outside of the classroom. Education research lab McREL reviews effective afterschool and summer programs that focus on reading, and identifies the components that make them successful.

Out-of-School Time Programs for At-Risk Students

By: Kirsten Miller, David Snow, and Patricia Lauer (2004)

Out-of-school time (OST) can be essential for at-risk students to develop basic academic skills. Education research lab McREL studied a variety of programs across the country to determine how OST programs are being used to help this population.

Checklist for Program Developers: Things to Consider

By: Kirsten Miller, David Snow, and Patricia Lauer (2004)

Developing an afterschool or summer school program? This checklist will make sure you structure it for success!

After-School Programs Fact Sheet

By: National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center (2001)

The National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center created this overview of the research on the effectiveness of after-school programs.

Evidence That Tutoring Works

By: U.S. Department of Education (1997)

When tutors work closely with teachers and are provided with intensive, ongoing training, they can make a difference in a child's reading success. Learn what researchers have found about the elements of tutoring programs that lead to increase reading achievement.

Qualities of a Good After-School Program

By: Wendy Schwartz (1997)

This article provides background information about after-school programs and what they offer.

Schools as Community Learning Centers

By: Adriana de Kanter, Leila Fiester, Andrew Lauland, and Valerie Romney (1997)

When schools are community learning centers, their doors don't lock at 3:00 p.m. Learn facts about the importance of and need for extended day and summer programs in schools.

What to Look For in an After-School Program

By: Wendy Schwartz (1996)

This article provides tips parents can use to find a high quality program for their children.