Consistent participation in afterschool programs has shown lower dropout rates and has helped close achievement gaps for low-income students. For older youth, regular participation in an afterschool program may also reduce risky behaviors and help them gain college and career-needed skills.
What are the strengths of the after school program?
Afterschool programs can support social, emotional, cognitive, and academic development, reduce risky behaviors, promote physical health, and provide a safe and supportive environment for children and youth.
How do you measure the success of an after school program?
- Goal setting. The best way to start measuring success in after school programs is by setting and tracking goals.
- Data collection and evaluation.
- Skill-based assessments.
What qualities do you feel would contribute to the overall success of an after school program?
Foster the self-worth of each child, and develop the children’s self-care skills. Develop their personal and interpersonal social skills, and promote respect for cultural diversity. Provide help with homework, tutoring, and other learning activities. Provide time and space for quiet study.
Why are after school programs important?
Afterschool programs help children and youth develop the social competencies they need to become community leaders. They have been shown to improve young people’s ”feelings of self-confidence and self-esteem”.
What are five benefits to a quality out of school time program?
- Create a sense of belonging. If the afterschool program isn’t run by your school district or a local facility, it may be a way for your child to make some new friends.
- Improve social skills.
- Provide academic support.
- Make learning more fun.
- Provide safety and supervision.
- Build confidence.
What is your vision of a high quality after school program?
Afterschool programs keep kids safe, inspire them to learn, and give working parents peace of mind. They help children learn, grow, and reach their full potential, offering new learning opportunities that help students do better in school and in life.
What criteria would you use to assess the quality of an afterschool program?
As shown earlier, these basic elements of program quality include: administration/organization, relationships, staffing/professional development, programming/activities, academic alignment/achievement, youth participation/engagement, parent/family/community partnerships, program sustainability/growth, and measuring …
How would you measure the success of an event such as a lunchtime activity or afterschool function?
Attendance. Attendance is another great way to measure success of an event. Event coordinators should be mindful that a high interest level in an event does not guarantee a high turnout, and the number of actual day attendees will likely differ.
What makes a school program successful?
Successful schools create a culture of collaboration and shared responsibility among staff and students and with families and communities. These schools are safe, welcoming, and respectful to all. They establish teaching and learning as core values.
What components are important for a successful after school program?
Quality programming and staffing
Children who attend these well-supervised afterschool programs display better work habits, task persistence, social skills, pro-social behaviors, academic performance, and less aggressive behavior at the end of the school year.
How can I improve my after school activities?
- #1 Build strong partnerships.
- #2 Automate billing.
- #3 Increase participation.
- #4 Measure, measure, measure.
- #5 Increase access and sustained participation.
- Technology supports and helps improve after-school programs.
References:
- https://youth.gov/youth-topics/afterschool-programs/benefits-youth-families-and-communities
- https://www.extendednotes.com/after-school-articles/3-simple-ways-to-measure-success-in-afterschool-programs
- https://www.readingrockets.org/article/qualities-good-after-school-program
- https://www.bgccan.com/index.php?securefile=2018/05/After-School-The-Time-of-a-Childs-Life-2018.pdf
- https://www.understood.org/en/articles/benefits-afterschool-programs-kids-with-learning-thinking-differences
- https://www.afterschoolalliance.org/aboutusvision.cfm
- https://www.childtrends.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/2008-10OSTProgramQuality.pdf
- https://www.getpushing.com/blog/2017/03/5-ways-measure-success-event/
- https://www.nsba.org/ASBJ/Past-Issues/april/elements-successful-schools
- https://www.gse.harvard.edu/news/uk/08/02/secrets-successful-afterschool-programs
- https://blog.capterra.com/5-ways-to-improve-your-after-school-programs/