ResourcesSchools, Afterschool & Summer Learning
Young people who are engaged in high-quality afterschool or summer learning opportunities tend to perform better in school and in the classroom. Research has linked gains in academic achievement with students who regularly engage in high-quality afterschool programs that offer a variety of enrichment opportunities beyond tutoring and additional classroom instruction.
Planning Afterschool or Summer Learning Opportunities
Principals and educators can be key partners in promoting learning opportunities beyond the school day. The following resources can help you and your school community become more intentional about creating learning communities in and outside of school.
Council of Chief State School Officers' Toolkit
The Council of Chief State School Officers has developed an Extended Learning Opportunities online toolkit specifically for chief state school officers and state education agencies (SEAs). The toolkit builds on the Council’s Policy Statement on Extended Learning Opportunities, approved by the Council’s Board in 2006. The toolkit’s content and structure is also based on survey responses collected from chief state school officers and state education agency staffs on what resources and information would be most helpful to include.
Charting A Course: Connecting Out-of-School Time Opportunities (PDF)
The National Association of Elementary School Principals has prepared this report to support school administrators offer learning opportunities beyond the school day.
Beyond the Bell is a suite of products designed by Learning Point Associates to help afterschool directors, coordinators, and staff create and sustain high-quality, effective afterschool programs. The suite provides resources and training for afterschool staff that are practical, easy-to-use, and grounded in research and experience. Beyond the Bell is one component of the Learning Point Associates resources for afterschool programs.
Publications that can be accessed at Beyond the Bell include:
- Beyond the Bell Start-Up Guide
- Beyond the Bell Toolkit
- Beyond the Bell Principal's Guide to Effective Afterschool Programs
The Afterschool Alliance provides suggestions to community members on how to start an afterschool program in your own community.
Research
Strengthen What Happens Outside School to Improve What Happens Inside
A new paper commissioned by the Center for Educational Policy (CEP) outlines strategies the federal government can take to ensure that all children, especially economically and otherwise disadvantaged ones, have opportunities for after-school learning, summer learning, and family support that improve their chances for school success. An abbreviated version of the paper is available online at Youth Community Connections. Click here for the highlights.There is a growing national movement to redefine how, when, and where students learn. This report addresses how student learning can be improved during and beyond the school day, taking advantage of after school or out-of-school periods, including afternoons, evenings, weekends, and summers.
Research in Brief: Academic Achievement and Summertime Learning Loss, 2008
Researchers at John Hopkins Center for Summer Learning have found the achievement gap between children and youth who grow up in families of low incomes compared to those who grow up in families with middle to upper incomes can be attributed to their summer learning loss.
The Study of Promising After-School Programs
Dr. Deborah Lowe Vandell 's study has found that regular participation in high-quality afterschool programs is linked to positive outcomes for children and youth. School administrators and educators will see how the effects of high-quality afterschool learning opportunities can be greater on math scores than reducing class sizes.
After School Programs in the 21st Century: Their Potential and What It Takes to Achieve It
This study outlines the multiple benefits high-quality afterschool programs can provide children and youth. The benefits range from social, cognitive, health and wellness as well as academic.
National Partnership for Quality Afterschool Learning
The National Partnership for Quality Afterschool Learning helps state education agencies and local practitioners develop high-quality, balanced programs that provide a safe and fun environment for academic enrichment as well as youth development activities.
Funding Afterschool Programs
Funding for afterschool and summer programs comes from both public and private sources. Below are some resources that specifically address funding for afterschool programs.
The Finance Project is a specialized non-profit research, consulting, technical assistance and training firm for public and private sector leaders nationwide that help leaders make smart investment decisions, develop sound financing strategies, and build solid partnerships that benefit children, families and communities.
Sample Publications include:
- A Guide to Successful Public-Private Partnerships for Youth Programs (PDF)
- Creating Dedicated Local and State Revenue Sources for Youth Programs (PDF)
- Financing and Sustaining Out-of-School Time Programs in Rural Communities (PDF)
Charting A Course: Connecting Out-of-School Time Opportunities (PDF)
Best Practices and Model Programs
There are great examples of best practices in afterschool and summer learning programs. Quality programs matter. Research has shown that regular participation in high-quality programs provides the greatest benefit to children and youth. Quality programs pay close attention to dosage, frequency and intensity of the program.
Beacons are school-based community centers serving children and youth afterschool and during the summer.
Minneapolis Beacons Project is a collaborative, community-based initiative among schools, community, and families to improve academic, social, and lifework development of youth in low-income communities. Beacons builds on the resources and infrastructures that already exist within a community and gives each student an experience that builds self esteem and supports academic achievement. The project leverages the strengths and resources of its collaborative partners, which include the YMCA of Metropolitan Minneapolis, YWCA of Minneapolis, the Boys & Girls Club of the Twin Cities , Minneapolis Public Schools Community Education, and the Minneapolis Youth Coordinating Board. Year-round programs are provided free of charge to youth and their families.
LA's Better Educated Students for Tomorrow - is a nationally recognized after school education, enrichment and recreation program serving more than 26,000 children with the greatest needs and fewest resources throughout the City of Los Angeles . LA's BEST After School Enrichment Program provides a safe haven for children, ages 5 to 12, at 180 elementary school sites each day during the critical hours after school - at no cost to parents. Established in 1988, LA's BEST is a partnership including the City of Los Angeles , the Los Angeles Unified School District and the private sector.
Girls Inc. develops research-based informal education programs that encourage girls to take risks and master physical, intellectual and emotional challenges. Major programs address math and science education, pregnancy and drug abuse prevention, media literacy, economic literacy, adolescent health, violence prevention, and sports participation.