After-School Programs and Academics: Implications for Policy, Practice, and Research. Social Policy Report. Volume 22, Number 2

Autor/in	Granger, Robert C.
Institution	Society for Research in Child Development
Titel	After-School Programs and Academics: Implications for Policy, Practice, and Research. Social Policy Report. Volume 22, Number 2
Quelle	(2008), (20 Seiten) PDF als Volltext kostenfreie Datei Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Monographie
ISSN	1075-7031
Schlagwörter	Federal Legislation; Educational Finance; Politics of Education; Academic Achievement; After School Programs; Expectation; School Districts; Program Effectiveness; Goal Orientation; Outcomes of Education; Synthesis; Program Improvement + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Bundesrecht; Bildungsfonds; Educational policy; Bildungspolitik; Schulleistung; After school education; After-school programs; Program; Programs; Programme; Außerschulische Jugendbildung; Programm; Expectancy; Erwartung; School district; Schulbezirk; Zielorientierung; Zielvorstellung; Lernleistung; Schulerfolg
Abstract	No Child Left Behind (NCLB), with its emphasis on standards-based accountability, has put educators under considerable pressure to improve student academic outcomes. Much of the funding for after-school programs comes from education budgets and is administered by state and local education agencies. Consequently, after-school programs are often expected to incorporate academic achievement as an important goal. This focus on academic achievement is producing heated debates among after-school practitioners, policymakers, and researchers. Should after-school programs be required to have a positive impact on academic outcomes? Will such an expectation crowd out other important goals and turn after-school programs into an unappealing version of the school day? This report 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. I begin by showing that after-school programs can have positive academic effects, though many do not. To understand the ingredients of an effective program, I examine empirical reviews of program evaluations, observational studies, and practitioner writings. It is clear that to be effective, programs should actively involve participants, be intentional about their goals, and focus on the interactions between youth and staff. If positive academic outcomes are one of those goals, programs may need to include specific activities that are focused on academic achievement, but the approach should build on the opportunities presented by the out-of-school setting. The report concludes by identifying some promising approaches to program improvement and arguing that research on ways to intervene to improve program effectiveness is the highest priority. (Contains 3 tables, 5 footnotes and 1 endnote.) [Commentary from Joseph A. Durlak is included. Commentary contains references.] (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	Society for Research in Child Development. 2950 South State Street Suite 401, Ann Arbor, MI 48104. Tel: 734-926-0600; Fax: 734-926-0601; e-mail: info@srcd.org; Web site: http://www.srcd.org
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2017/4/10