Summer Programs. Afterschool Alert. Issue Brief

Summer Programs. Afterschool Alert. Issue Brief PDF Author: Afterschool Alliance, Washington, DC.
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 2

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Book Description
The need for youth to be supervised and safe does not end with the school year. For this reason, summer programs like those funded by the US Department of Education's 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program are vital for the well-being of youth. Summer schools have traditionally served youth who are in need of remedial academic assistance, although many schools and community-based organizations have created programs which provide recreation and extracurricular learning for all youth. Like afterschool programs, summer programs keep kids safe, help working families and improve academic achievement. Summer programs also provide opportunities to encourage service and volunteerism among young people. Additionally, summer programs are also critical to ensuring that youth receive the same nutritious meals and snacks during the summer as those offered during the school year. Although summer programs provide an essential service to youth and the community, these programs are often among the first to be affected by budget cuts, and communities increasingly are looking toward grants like the 21st CCLC program to provide youth with safe and enriching summer experiences. (Contains 10 endnotes.).

Summer Programs. Afterschool Alert. Issue Brief

Summer Programs. Afterschool Alert. Issue Brief PDF Author: Afterschool Alliance, Washington, DC.
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 2

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Book Description
The need for youth to be supervised and safe does not end with the school year. For this reason, summer programs like those funded by the US Department of Education's 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program are vital for the well-being of youth. Summer schools have traditionally served youth who are in need of remedial academic assistance, although many schools and community-based organizations have created programs which provide recreation and extracurricular learning for all youth. Like afterschool programs, summer programs keep kids safe, help working families and improve academic achievement. Summer programs also provide opportunities to encourage service and volunteerism among young people. Additionally, summer programs are also critical to ensuring that youth receive the same nutritious meals and snacks during the summer as those offered during the school year. Although summer programs provide an essential service to youth and the community, these programs are often among the first to be affected by budget cuts, and communities increasingly are looking toward grants like the 21st CCLC program to provide youth with safe and enriching summer experiences. (Contains 10 endnotes.).

Summer

Summer PDF Author: Afterschool Alliance
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 5

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Book Description
This report notes that studies dating back to 1906 find that children score lower on standardized tests at the end of summer vacation than they do in the Spring when schools close. Summer programs that address the needs of the whole child seem to be most successful at boosting academic achievement, self-esteem, and confidence. They also motivate students to want to learn, and help them develop new skills and talents. The report shows how well-designed summer programs provide academic enrichment that mitigates the summer learning gap, offer experiences that aren't available during the school year, and increase educational equity for low-income families with learning opportunities that are otherwise more readily available to affluent families. (Contains 28 endnotes.).

The Importance of Afterschool and Summer Learning Programs in African-American and Latino Communities. Afterschool Alert. Issue Brief

The Importance of Afterschool and Summer Learning Programs in African-American and Latino Communities. Afterschool Alert. Issue Brief PDF Author: Afterschool Alliance
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 14

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Book Description
In classrooms across the country, when students hear the bell ring at 3 p.m., it signals the end of the school day and, for many, the start of an afternoon without supervision, without productive activities and without direction. Afterschool and summer learning programs are filling the invaluable role of providing essential services--such as a safe and supervised environment, academically enriching activities, healthy snacks and meals, and caring and supportive mentors--to children and families most in need of support. The need for these afterschool and summer learning programs is especially vital in African-American and Latino communities, communities that are experiencing higher levels of poverty, homelessness and food insecurity, and are facing disparities in education and access to extracurricular activities. Funding for afterschool and summer learning programs is a sound investment that will help meet the demands of, and bring much needed services to, African-American and Latino communities by: (1) Ensuring children have access to academically enriching activities, helping close the opportunity gap between higher-income and lower-income families; (2) Tackling the achievement gap between white students and African-American and Latino students by increasing attendance, homework completion and engagement in school, and ultimately raising graduation rates and test scores; (3) Combating food insecurity among children by providing nutritious snacks and meals, which are especially important during the summer months when schools are out of session; and (4) Providing working parents with peace of mind knowing that their child is in a safe and supervised space during the out-of-school hours. At a time when afterschool programs serving communities that are in most need of help are struggling to keep pace with demand, greater investments at the federal, state and local levels are essential to make certain all children have access to the range of benefits afterschool and summer learning programs provide and are better equipped to succeed in school and life.

Afterschool

Afterschool PDF Author: Afterschool Alliance
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 8

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Book Description
The Afterschool Alliance, in partnership with MetLife Foundation, is proud to present the first in its latest series of four issue briefs examining critical issues facing middle school youth and the vital role afterschool programs play in addressing these issues. This brief explores afterschool and school improvement. In communities across the country, afterschool programs are proving their worth in supporting school improvement efforts. Working with community partners, afterschool and summer learning programs are able to complement the learning that takes place during the school day and year and bring new teachers and mentors to the school improvement table. With a wide range of backgrounds, expertise and content area knowledge, afterschool and summer staff are connecting with students and motivating kids to stay on track to school success. One school at a time, afterschool programs are helping kids and schools succeed and building the case that afterschool is a key ally in school improvement. (Contains 20 endnotes.) [For the related reports, see "Arts Enrichment in Afterschool. MetLife Foundation Afterschool Alert. Issue Brief No. 56" (ED539785); "Afterschool: A Key to Successful Parent Engagement. MetLife Foundation Afterschool Alert. Issue Brief No. 57" (ED539790); and "Digital Media & Learning in Afterschool. MetLife Foundation Afterschool Alert. Issue Brief No. 58" (ED539789).].

Quality Afterschool

Quality Afterschool PDF Author: Afterschool Alliance
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 9

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Book Description
For years, policy makers, program directors and parents have attested to the widespread benefits of afterschool programs. Fortunately, a wide variety of research ranging from quantitative studies and polls to qualitative reports and field observations has corroborated the need for afterschool enrichment. As the field grows and resources thin out--especially given the economic recession and subsequent budget cuts--it is increasingly important to secure afterschool's place as a necessity for youth. Promoting quality in the field of afterschool, which includes before school and summer learning programs, is one way to ensure researchers continue to find positive outcomes that can convince policy makers to increase investments in this valuable resource to children and parents. This brief discusses: (1) the academic and social, safety, and familial impacts of quality afterschool programs; (2) eight characteristics exemplified by quality programs; (3) tools that can aid in implementing quality afterschool programs; and (4) policy recommendations that should be considered in designing any new afterschool/summer initiative or in revising existing policy. (Contains 29 endnotes.).

Afterschool and the Common Core State Standards. MetLife Foundation Afterschool Alert. Issue Brief

Afterschool and the Common Core State Standards. MetLife Foundation Afterschool Alert. Issue Brief PDF Author: Afterschool Alliance
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 12

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Book Description
The Afterschool Alliance, in partnership with MetLife Foundation, is proud to present the first in their latest series of four issue briefs examining critical issues facing middle school youth and the vital role afterschool programs play in addressing these issues. This series explores afterschool and: the Common Core State Standards, students with disabilities and other special needs, data utilization to improve programming, and keeping children safe and supported. With the goal to equip their students with the knowledge and skills they will need in college and in the workplace, currently 45 states have adopted the Common Core State Standards. As the Common Core begins entering more classrooms across the country, students and parents need additional help to understand the standards and familiarize themselves with the standards, and teachers and schools require additional support to ensure they are able to raise student achievement to meet the standards of the Common Core. Afterschool programs can be--and in many places, already are--an integral source of support for teachers, schools, children and parents. This issue brief discusses assessments of U.S. students' math and reading skills compared to their peers globally, the call for a focus on 21st century skills, the goals of the Common Core to help raise students' ability to complete on a global stage, and the variety of ways afterschool programs are working with students, teachers, and schools to support learning under the Common Core. [For the related reports, see "Afterschool Supporting Students with Disabilities and Other Special Needs. MetLife Foundation Afterschool Alert. Issue Brief No. 64" (ED546847); "Keeping Kids Safe and Supported in the Hours after School. MetLife Foundation Afterschool Alert. Issue Brief No. 65" (ED546850).].

Keeping Kids Safe and Supported in the Hours After School. MetLife Foundation Afterschool Alert. Issue Brief

Keeping Kids Safe and Supported in the Hours After School. MetLife Foundation Afterschool Alert. Issue Brief PDF Author: Afterschool Alliance
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 9

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Book Description
The Afterschool Alliance, in partnership with MetLife Foundation, is proud to present the third issue brief in their latest series of four issue briefs examining critical issues facing middle school youth and the vital role afterschool programs play in addressing these issues. This series explores afterschool and: the Common Core State Standards, students with disabilities and other special needs, data utilization to improve programming, and keeping children safe and supported. More than 15 million students are alone and unsupervised between 3 and 6 p.m, the peak hours for juvenile crime and a time of concern for working parents. Afterschool programs are giving working parents peace of mind and providing an environment where students can go to feel safe, find staff and mentors who they trust, learn to tackle challenging circumstances, avoid risky behaviors, and work on communicating effectively with their peers and interacting positively with others. This MetLife Foundation issue brief explores the variety of ways afterschool programs are helping keep middle schoolers safe, keep them engaged in learning, and help them take advantage of their full potential as they navigate school, peers and their surroundings. [For the related reports, see "Afterschool and the Common Core State Standards. MetLife Foundation Afterschool Alert. Issue Brief No. 63" (ED546845); "Afterschool Supporting Students with Disabilities and Other Special Needs. MetLife Foundation Afterschool Alert. Issue Brief No. 64" (ED546847).].

Afterschool

Afterschool PDF Author: Afterschool Alliance
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 7

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Book Description
With a growing number of school hours devoted to increased instructional time and physical education programs being scaled back in many schools, the afterschool hours are becoming increasingly crucial to ensuring the healthy development of the nation's youth. Additionally, with students spending the majority of their waking hours and consuming the majority of their meals out of school, afterschool and summer learning programs present a unique opportunity to promote healthful eating and living habits. Middle schoolers in particular, who are often fueled by their desire to find a place where they belong and are at risk of making decisions that negatively affect their overall health, can benefit greatly from the lessons on nutrition and the increased opportunities for physical activity that afterschool programs can provide. Middle school programs across the country offer youth a mix of academic and physical enrichment that promotes positive physical, emotional and social development. By offering sports programs, teaching children about healthy food choices, supplying mentors to steer teens and pre-teens away from drugs, smoking and alcohol, and displaying other innovative ways to promote healthy lifestyles among adolescents, afterschool programs are leading the way toward healthier lifestyles for America's middle schoolers. This brief offers examples of ways that afterschool programs can promote healthy living and better prepare a generation of middle schoolers. This brief is the third in a series of four issue briefs examining critical issues facing middle school youth and the vital role afterschool programs play in addressing these issues. (Contains 19 endnotes.) [For related reports, see "Afterschool: Providing Multiple Benefits to Middle School Students. MetLife Foundation Afterschool Alert. Issue Brief No. 42" (ED511973); "Afterschool: Middle School and Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). MetLife Foundation Afterschool Alert. Issue Brief No. 44" (ED522621); and "Afterschool: Supporting Career and College Pathways for Middle School Age Youth. MetLife Foundation Afterschool Alert. Issue Brief No. 46" (ED522622).].

Arts Enrichment in Afterschool. MetLife Foundation Afterschool Alert. Issue Brief

Arts Enrichment in Afterschool. MetLife Foundation Afterschool Alert. Issue Brief PDF Author: Afterschool Alliance
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 8

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Book Description
The Afterschool Alliance, in partnership with MetLife Foundation, is proud to present the second in its latest series of four issue briefs examining critical issues facing middle school youth and the vital role afterschool programs play in addressing these issues. This brief explores afterschool and arts enrichment. The arts have the remarkable ability to positively affect a child in his or her entirety--influencing his or her developmental, behavioral, social and intellectual capacities. Afterschool programs are helping schools and communities ensure that their children have access to the arts and are able to benefit from all the arts have to offer. The role afterschool programs play in providing arts education and enrichment becomes increasingly important as the arts curriculum finds itself pitted against the pressures of standardized tests. Afterschool and summer programs draw on the expertise of arts organizations, arts education organizations, and school arts and music educators, offering broad exposure to the variety of existing art forms and offering dedicated time for deeper learning in the arts. Opportunities for arts education and enrichment, both in school and out-of-school, can help excite children about school, engage them in academic subjects, improve their focus and spark their creativity. The absence of the arts from a student's life is a lost opportunity to inspire change and individual growth. Across the country, afterschool programs are providing a nurturing environment and strengthening students' relationships to the arts and thereby supporting overall student success. (Contains 25 endnotes.) [For the related reports, see "Afterschool: An Ally in Promoting Middle School Improvement. MetLife Foundation Afterschool Alert. Issue Brief No. 55" (ED539794); "Afterschool: A Key to Successful Parent Engagement. MetLife Foundation Afterschool Alert. Issue Brief No. 57" (ED539790); and "Digital Media & Learning in Afterschool. MetLife Foundation Afterschool Alert. Issue Brief No. 58" (ED539789).].

Afterschool Programs

Afterschool Programs PDF Author: Afterschool Alliance, Washington, DC.
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 4

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Book Description
The 21st century's information economy is creating more jobs that require not only a college education but also at least some expertise in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math, collectively known as STEM. Across the country, schools and communities are finding that the hours after school are particularly conducive to project-based activities where a wide variety of children can participate in the design, construction, investigation, sense-making, and communication of science projects. Additionally, after-school program connections to community organizations such as museums and science centers can change attitudes about math and science, giving students from under-represented communities, opportunity to gain the necessary skills to compete in formal science classrooms. Some after-school programs are making headway, giving students extra time to explore the STEM fields. The report concludes that after-school programs have proven to be effective supports for young people on a variety of fronts, including: fostering healthy lifestyles; preventing drop-outs; boosting student academic achievement and self-esteem; and helping young people find and develop their passions. As the public and parents become more concerned about students falling behind in math and science, they are realizing that the extra hours after school can be used to help young people keep up and excel. It is noted, however, that after-school programs alone can not make up all lost ground, but that they can and should be part of a comprehensive approach to giving more young people a chance to discover an interest in STEM, and an aptitude that could lead many to choose degrees and careers in emergent STEM fields. (Contains 19 endnotes.).