scholarly journals Supporting Social and Cognitive Growth Among Disadvantaged Middle-Grades Students in TASC After-School Projects

2006 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 47-57
Author(s):  
Christina A. Russell ◽  
Elizabeth R. Reisner
Keyword(s):  
Middle Grades ◽  
After School Programs ◽  
Cognitive Outcomes ◽  
After School ◽  
Cognitive Growth ◽  
School Project ◽  
The Social ◽  
School Programs ◽  
School Corporation ◽  
School Programming

The field of after-school programming remains rife with unanswered questions. What constitutes quality in after-school programs? Are after-school opportunities valuable for participants regardless of their quality? Are differences in quality associated with differences in participant benefit? This sub-study of the longitudinal evaluation of The After-School Corporation (TASC) looks at how after-school opportunities with varying features affect urban middle-grades (6-8) adolescents who live in impoverished circumstances. Supported by the William T. Grant Foundation, the study explores the associations between after-school project features and the social and cognitive outcomes of disadvantaged middle-grades participants in TASC programs. The study relies on data collected during the 2001-02 and 2002-03 school years in eight TASC projects serving middle-grades students.

scholarly journals Projects in a Day Develop Life Skills in At-Risk After School Youth

2011 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 87-94 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katie J. Hoffman
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Life Skills ◽  
After School Programs ◽  
After School ◽  
At Risk Youth ◽  
Safe Place ◽  
School Programs ◽  
Life Skill Development ◽  
After School Program ◽  
School Programming

As budgets tighten and school weeks are shortened more youth are being left unattended at home. Rural youth are particularly affected by these reductions and stranded away from programs and resources. At-risk youth are acutely impacted as they lose contact time with programs that provide life skill development and a safe place for youth to connect to community, other youth and adults. 4-H Projects-in-a-Day can provide curriculum in partnership with after school programs that develop life skills and build positive social skills. In a study conducted with an Idaho After School program during the 2007-2008 and the 2008-2009 school years, six of the 12 life skills evaluated showed a significant increase after participation. Youth also reported positive self esteem and made new friends during the events held on Fridays. 4-H Project-in-a-Day curriculum has shown to be a powerful, ready to use tool in after school programming.

scholarly journals The Complexities of Student Engagement for Historically Marginalized Youth in an After-School Program

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 105-121
Author(s):  
Ashlee L. Sjogren ◽  
Theresa N. Melton
Keyword(s):  
After School Programs ◽  
After School ◽  
Marginalized Youth ◽  
School Program ◽  
School Based ◽  
School Programs ◽  
After School Program ◽  
Program Content ◽  
Affective Experiences ◽  
School Programming

As researchers continue to address issues of equity within educational settings, it is important to also consider the role of equity in high-quality after-school programs. Evidence suggests that families from communities with fewer resources, along with families that identify as Black or Hispanic, report less access to quality after-school programming for their youth (Afterschool Alliance, 2020). This is especially problematic, as after-school programming has been associated with a number of positive outcomes for youth. In this study, researchers highlight youth perspectives to illuminate the challenges related to engaging historically marginalized youth in a school-based after-school program. Findings suggest that youth from marginalized backgrounds typically discuss engagement in terms of behavioral and affective experiences. Further, youth identified a few barriers to engagement, including repetition of program content and disruptive behavior. As a result of these findings, researchers suggest that practitioners integrate youth perspectives, work collaboratively to develop curriculum that fosters growth, and adopt policies and training that support staff in implementing culturally appropriate discipline approaches in after-school programs.

scholarly journals Youth Perspectives on Virtual After-School Programming During the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 251-268
Author(s):  
Candace Evans ◽  
Renita Moore ◽  
Scot Seitz ◽  
Isatou Jatta ◽  
Gabriel P. Kuperminc ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Peer Relationships ◽  
Internet Access ◽  
After School Programs ◽  
After School ◽  
School Program ◽  
School Closures ◽  
School Programs ◽  
After School Program ◽  
Positive Experiences ◽  
School Programming

After-school programs provide a range of support for students. During school closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many after-school programs were also forced to close or to find new ways to provide services to youth, such as through virtual after-school programming. We surveyed 244 youth who participated in virtual after-school programs about their access to virtual programming as well as their experiences. We considered their pre-closure experiences as well. We also surveyed 8 program directors of after-school programs who were providing virtual programming. We found that Internet access hindered the ability of more than 1 in 4 students to access the programs. Pre-closure program experiences, including ongoing relationships with program staff and positive peer relationships contributed to more positive experiences with virtual programming. Whenever students were able to access the programs, they generally reported positive experiences. This work has implications for after-school program providers, parents, and policymakers.

Expanding after School Program Access for Vulnerable Students: Examining the Efficacy of Federal Policy and Funding

2021 ◽  
pp. 001312452110045
Author(s):  
Susan K. Klumpner ◽  
Michael E. Woolley
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Binary Logistic Regression ◽  
After School Programs ◽  
Lower Percentage ◽  
After School ◽  
School Program ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
School Programs ◽  
After School Program ◽  
Low Income Families

After school programs provide low income students and students of color with learning opportunities across both academic and non-academic domains that such students would otherwise not get. In this study, we examined the intersection of school characteristics (e.g., enrollment size, percent minority enrolled, and percent eligible for FARM) and the types of after school programming schools offered (e.g., fee-based, 21st CCLC, and other types) using binary logistic regression models. I n a sample of schools ( n = 1,601) surveyed by the National Center on Education Statistics 2008 FRSS, we found that under-resourced schools had lower odds of having a 21st CCLC program and higher odds of having a fee-based after school program (than schools with a lower percentage of students receiving FARM). That is counter to the stated goals of the 21st CCLC program. These findings highlight the need for a re-prioritization of 21st CCLC funding such that financial assistance provided to schools to support after school programs is allocated to schools serving students from low income families and communities.

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