Resources for Educators
Afterschool programs have been proven to be an effective strategy to help kids become more engaged in learning and achieve higher academic performance. As an educator, there are steps that you can take to increase the value of afterschool programs in your school district to help you improve the academic achievement and success of kids in your school. We have provided several resources on this page specifically for educators to deepen their understanding of the benefits of building strong partnerships with afterschool programs.
In addition to these resources, School’s Out Washington has completed a guidebook for groups interested in organizing an event to raise awareness of the importance of afterschool programs among educators. This book includes strategies, tools such as pre-written letters and event planning tools, and other resourses to support the development of a successful event.
The following resources are provided to help you to increase the value that afterschool programs bring to your school or district.
OregonASK compiled this list with their state library and seven regional Oregon libraries and input from programs. The list encompasses curriculumn, behavioral issues, staff development and more.
Afterschool Alliance Issue Briefs
Name almost any topic and the Afterschool Alliance can tell you how afterschool intersects with that topic. The briefs demonstrate the connections between afterschool and education topics such as extending the school day and how afterschool supports academics. Each brief presents the research available on the topic, provides examples of promising afterschool programs and makes the case for greater investment in afterschool.
Name almost any topic and the Afterschool Alliance can tell you how afterschool intersects with that topic. The briefs demonstrate the connections between afterschool and education topics such as extending the school day and how afterschool supports academics. Each brief presents the research available on the topic, provides examples of promising afterschool programs and makes the case for greater investment in afterschool.
Afterschool Programs and Academics: Implications for Policy, Practice, and Research
As most of us know, the increasing emphasis on academics and supporting learning in afterschool and youth development programs has lead to predictable tensions over time, structure, and resources. This report from 2008, from the William T. Grant Foundation, focuses on the growing program-evaluation literature, observational studies, and commentaries and statements of program standards by practitioners and advocates in the context of this debate.
As most of us know, the increasing emphasis on academics and supporting learning in afterschool and youth development programs has lead to predictable tensions over time, structure, and resources. This report from 2008, from the William T. Grant Foundation, focuses on the growing program-evaluation literature, observational studies, and commentaries and statements of program standards by practitioners and advocates in the context of this debate.
Afterschool programs and academic impact: A study of Chicago’s After School Matters
What impact can after-school programs have on the educational achievement of high school students? A 2007 study of Chicago’s After School Matters (ASM) program finds a relationship between participating in after-school activities and higher class attendance, lower course failures and higher graduation rates.
What impact can after-school programs have on the educational achievement of high school students? A 2007 study of Chicago’s After School Matters (ASM) program finds a relationship between participating in after-school activities and higher class attendance, lower course failures and higher graduation rates.
Afterschool Programs: Bureaucratic Barriers and Strategies for Success
This after-school toolkit from the American Association of School Administrators (AASA) for educators is complete with resources and tools that you as a school leader and your staff can use to plan, implement and sustain a quality after-school program. The toolkit also contains a DVD, which features urban, suburban, and rural superintendents commenting on barriers to afterschool programming, promising practices, and advice to other superintendents on overcoming these barriers.
This after-school toolkit from the American Association of School Administrators (AASA) for educators is complete with resources and tools that you as a school leader and your staff can use to plan, implement and sustain a quality after-school program. The toolkit also contains a DVD, which features urban, suburban, and rural superintendents commenting on barriers to afterschool programming, promising practices, and advice to other superintendents on overcoming these barriers.
Afterschool programs in the 21st Century: Their potential and what it takes to achieve it. issues and opportunities in out-of-school time evaluation
This research brief draws on seminal research and evaluation studies to address two primary questions: (a) Does participation in after school programs make a difference, and, if so (b) what conditions appear to be necessary to achieve positive results? The brief concludes with a set of questions to spur conversation about the evolving role of after school in efforts to expand time and opportunities for children and youth in the 21st century.
This research brief draws on seminal research and evaluation studies to address two primary questions: (a) Does participation in after school programs make a difference, and, if so (b) what conditions appear to be necessary to achieve positive results? The brief concludes with a set of questions to spur conversation about the evolving role of after school in efforts to expand time and opportunities for children and youth in the 21st century.
The Case for School-Based Integration of Services: Changing the Ways Students, Families and Communities Engage with their Schools
This first issue of P/PV's GroundWork series reviews the current literature about the potential benefits of simultaneously providing three services in school—healthcare, out-of-school-time learning and family supports—to boost students' educational outcomes. In addition to highlighting how each affects key outcomes such as learning, school connectedness (i.e., positive feelings about school) and access to needed services, this brief summarizes the potential benefits of offering these resources through a highly integrated, school-based model.
This first issue of P/PV's GroundWork series reviews the current literature about the potential benefits of simultaneously providing three services in school—healthcare, out-of-school-time learning and family supports—to boost students' educational outcomes. In addition to highlighting how each affects key outcomes such as learning, school connectedness (i.e., positive feelings about school) and access to needed services, this brief summarizes the potential benefits of offering these resources through a highly integrated, school-based model.
Critical Hours: Afterschool Programs and Educational Success
This report makes a case for the valuable role afterschool programs can pay in convincing young people that learning can be fun and to think of themselves as capable learners. The report focuses on the middle school years, but it can be a resource to anyone who is interested in knowing why and how effective afterschool programs work.
This report makes a case for the valuable role afterschool programs can pay in convincing young people that learning can be fun and to think of themselves as capable learners. The report focuses on the middle school years, but it can be a resource to anyone who is interested in knowing why and how effective afterschool programs work.
ELT: Expanding and Enriching Learning Time for All
In this Policy Brief, TASC proposes that policy makers should support initiatives not only to extend the school day or year, but also to expand the way students learn through enrichments and diverse activities tailored to each school’s needs. The brief describes the core elements of the Expanded Learning Time / New York City initiative and discusses lessons learned from the first year of its implementation in 10 New York City schools.
In this Policy Brief, TASC proposes that policy makers should support initiatives not only to extend the school day or year, but also to expand the way students learn through enrichments and diverse activities tailored to each school’s needs. The brief describes the core elements of the Expanded Learning Time / New York City initiative and discusses lessons learned from the first year of its implementation in 10 New York City schools.
The evaluation of enhanced academic instruction in after-school programs (Executive Summary)
The primary purpose of this study is to determine whether providing structured academic instruction in reading or math to students in grades two to five during their after-school hours — instead of the less formal academic supports offered in regular after-school programs — improves their academic performance in the subject. This is the second and final report from the Evaluation of Enhanced Academic Instruction in After-School Programs — a two-year demonstration and random assignment evaluation of structured approaches to teaching math and reading in after-school settings.
The primary purpose of this study is to determine whether providing structured academic instruction in reading or math to students in grades two to five during their after-school hours — instead of the less formal academic supports offered in regular after-school programs — improves their academic performance in the subject. This is the second and final report from the Evaluation of Enhanced Academic Instruction in After-School Programs — a two-year demonstration and random assignment evaluation of structured approaches to teaching math and reading in after-school settings.
Fast Facts on Afterschool in Washington State
School’s Out Washington has compiled a list of important and revealing facts and statistics about the current state of afterschool in Washington.
School’s Out Washington has compiled a list of important and revealing facts and statistics about the current state of afterschool in Washington.
Fast Facts on Youth in Washington State
This companion to "Fast Facts on Afterschool in Washington State" looks at the current state of youth development work in Washington.
This companion to "Fast Facts on Afterschool in Washington State" looks at the current state of youth development work in Washington.
How Afterschool Programming Supports Academic Success
This School’s Out Washington’s fact sheet includes information from recent studies that highlight the academic benefits of afterschool programs.
This School’s Out Washington’s fact sheet includes information from recent studies that highlight the academic benefits of afterschool programs.
Links to Learning: Supporting Literacy in Out-of-School Time
This National Institute on Out-of-School Time (NIOST) video series highlights the multiple ways that afterschool practitioners can promote and incorporate Literacy into their program activities and curriculum. The video can be purchased from NIOST.
This National Institute on Out-of-School Time (NIOST) video series highlights the multiple ways that afterschool practitioners can promote and incorporate Literacy into their program activities and curriculum. The video can be purchased from NIOST.
Making the Most of After-School Time
A 2005 publication by the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) that profiles school-based programs in urban, rural, and suburban communities across the United States. The report highlights findings from NAESP’s in-depth study of these programs, which focused on the various roles that principals play in helping to make afterschool programs successful. Aberdeen, WA, was one of the ten highlighted communities.
A 2005 publication by the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) that profiles school-based programs in urban, rural, and suburban communities across the United States. The report highlights findings from NAESP’s in-depth study of these programs, which focused on the various roles that principals play in helping to make afterschool programs successful. Aberdeen, WA, was one of the ten highlighted communities.
The National School Boards Association Resource Center for Extended-Day Learning Opportunities
Rather than try to select just one or two reports to highlight here, we'll just point you to this amazing conglomeration of reports, findings, and resources. They describe it as "a clearinghouse of information for school board leaders to build and sustain quality extended learning opportunities for all students", but everyone involved in the AYD field will find something of interest here.
Rather than try to select just one or two reports to highlight here, we'll just point you to this amazing conglomeration of reports, findings, and resources. They describe it as "a clearinghouse of information for school board leaders to build and sustain quality extended learning opportunities for all students", but everyone involved in the AYD field will find something of interest here.
NPASS2 focuses on professional development of afterschool staff and a research-based curriculum.
A New Day For Learning
In January 2007, the Time, Learning, and Afterschool Taskforce funded by the C.S. Mott Foundation released a report asking for a fundamental rethinking of how children and youth use their time for learning. The executive summary gives a good overview of the "A New Day for Learning" approach and their research & resources page includes several important research papers: "Study of Promising Afterschool Programs", "Key Findings on Attitudes Towards Education and Learning" and "Measuring Skills for the 21st Century."
In January 2007, the Time, Learning, and Afterschool Taskforce funded by the C.S. Mott Foundation released a report asking for a fundamental rethinking of how children and youth use their time for learning. The executive summary gives a good overview of the "A New Day for Learning" approach and their research & resources page includes several important research papers: "Study of Promising Afterschool Programs", "Key Findings on Attitudes Towards Education and Learning" and "Measuring Skills for the 21st Century."
Out-of-School Time: Leveraging Higher Education for Quality
This paper explores why and how partnerships between institutions of higher education and the out-of-school time field can strengthen the quality of children's educational opportunities beyond the school day.
This paper explores why and how partnerships between institutions of higher education and the out-of-school time field can strengthen the quality of children's educational opportunities beyond the school day.
NYSAN Policy Brief: The Role of Afterschool Programs in Increasing High School Graduation Rates in New York State
This policy brief provides an overview of the benefits to high school graduation; describes the New York State context; links afterschool to factors that improve high school graduation rates; and recommends a number of policies that can forge a stronger partnership between schools and afterschool programs in addressing this issue.
This policy brief provides an overview of the benefits to high school graduation; describes the New York State context; links afterschool to factors that improve high school graduation rates; and recommends a number of policies that can forge a stronger partnership between schools and afterschool programs in addressing this issue.
Present, Engaged, and Accounted For: The Critical Importance of Addressing Chronic Absence in the Early Grades
This report looks at issues around chronic absence in elementary school and points to afterschool programs as one part of the solution.
This report looks at issues around chronic absence in elementary school and points to afterschool programs as one part of the solution.
School-based Health Interventions and Academic Achievement
This research review provides important new evidence that links students’ health and academic performance. It identifies proven health interventions and practical resources that can positively affect both student health and academic achievement.
This research review provides important new evidence that links students’ health and academic performance. It identifies proven health interventions and practical resources that can positively affect both student health and academic achievement.
The free, online Afterschool Training Toolkit shows you how to use promising practices to build students' academic skills through fun and engaging activities. Material in the toolkit is based on current afterschool and content area research in six areas:
Strengthening schools by strengthening families: Community strategies to reverse chronic absenteeism in the early grades and improve supports for children and families
This report, from New York City, looks at the causes and effects of chronic abstenteeism and offers workable ideas gathered from community members including principals, teachers, social workers and community-based organizations, to address the problems which are caused by and which cause chronic absence from school.
This report, from New York City, looks at the causes and effects of chronic abstenteeism and offers workable ideas gathered from community members including principals, teachers, social workers and community-based organizations, to address the problems which are caused by and which cause chronic absence from school.
Superintendents’ Perspectives on the “New Day for Learning” Report
Five superintendents reflect on the framework detailed by a national task force convened by the C.S. Mott Foundation. The series provides an impetus for school system leaders to work with communities as equal and committed partners to provide children with meaningful learning experiences during the school day, before and after school, and year-round.
Five superintendents reflect on the framework detailed by a national task force convened by the C.S. Mott Foundation. The series provides an impetus for school system leaders to work with communities as equal and committed partners to provide children with meaningful learning experiences during the school day, before and after school, and year-round.
Supporting Student Success: A Governor’s Guide to Extra Learning Opportunities
A report highlighting many of the more successful state ELOs and making recommendations for governors and other interested policymakers.
A report highlighting many of the more successful state ELOs and making recommendations for governors and other interested policymakers.
Washington Learns Final Report
After over a year of intensive study, the Washington Learns committees, headed by Governor Gregoire, developed a final report (released in 2006) with comprehensive, long-term recommendations for creating a world-class, learner-focused, seamless education system for Washington. Included among the strategies is providing afterschool opportunities to support math and science learning and to personalize education to help students achieve school success.
After over a year of intensive study, the Washington Learns committees, headed by Governor Gregoire, developed a final report (released in 2006) with comprehensive, long-term recommendations for creating a world-class, learner-focused, seamless education system for Washington. Included among the strategies is providing afterschool opportunities to support math and science learning and to personalize education to help students achieve school success.
Why After-School Matters: How After-School Supports and Enhances Student Success
School’s Out Washington created this publication to highlight some important steps school leaders can take to build and enhance partnerships between schools and afterschool programs to best support student’s success in school and life. This piece also includes key resources for school leaders to reference in further examining the benefits of including afterschool programs as an integral part of a school’s community.
School’s Out Washington created this publication to highlight some important steps school leaders can take to build and enhance partnerships between schools and afterschool programs to best support student’s success in school and life. This piece also includes key resources for school leaders to reference in further examining the benefits of including afterschool programs as an integral part of a school’s community.