SPOTLIGHT on SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN'S ISSUES

Out-of-School Time Effectiveness for Reading & Math Instruction
Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning (McREL) has recently released a report titled “The Effectiveness of Out-Of-School-Time Strategies in Assisting Low-Achieving Students in Reading and Mathematics: A Research Synthesis.” To complete the report, McREL researchers analyzed all rigorous research conducted since 1984 on the impact of OST strategies in improving the reading and mathematics achievement of low-achieving or at-risk students. This research synthesis not only shows the efficacy of math and reading enrichment activities in OST programs, it also zeros in on which types of strategies work best for specific age groups.

The Parental After-School Stress Project
The Community, Families, & Work Program at Brandeis University recently conducted a study entitled “Parental After-School Stress Project” or PASS. The project, funded by the Alfred P Sloan Foundation, found that those parents who have greater concerns about their children’s after-school arrangements report significantly more job disruptions and significantly lower psychological well-being. The study compared parents with the highest and lowest levels of PASS, and found that parental concerns about children’s after-school arrangements have a bottom-line cost in lost employee productivity.

Making the Case: A Fact Sheet on Children and Youth in Out-of-School Time

NIOST (National Institute on Out-of-School Time) published a fact sheet with information that supports the importance of quality afterschool programs for children.  Outlined in the fact sheet is a plethora of information about afterschool programming in the United States, including benefits to children who participate in programs, students with special needs, health and nutrition, trends in public support and funding, and strengthening out-of-school time program qualities.  The report can be accessed online at http://www.niost.org/publications/Final2007FactSheet.pdf. 

Promising Afterschool Practices: A Showcase of Innovative, Creative, and Successful Afterschool Programs

Published in 2007 by New Jersey After 3, this report showcases several afterschool programs.  Each summary contains a description of the program and strategies for implementing the practice.  There are many ideas for creating quality afterschool programs.  New Jersey After 3 encourages readers to adapt the activities to fit the needs of their own afterschool program.  To read more about the report, visit http://www.niost.org/publications/NJA3PromisingPractices2007.pdf.