Research

GENERAL

A New Day for Learning
Time, Learning, and Afterschool Task Force
This report calls for a dramatic shift in the way a school day is structured. It argues that
afterschool enrichment programs that include both academic and recreational components are
crucial to student success. The report’s review of research and emerging strategies leads to
the concept of a new learning system that includes a redefinition of student success; the use
of knowledge about how students learn best throughout the day; and the integration of various
approaches to acquiring and reinforcing knowledge. This resource also proposes intentional
collaboration across local, state, and national sectors. (43 pages)
www.edutopia.org/pdfs/ANewDayforLearning.pdf

Teaching Children With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Instructional
Strategies and Practices
U.S. Department of Education
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) affects many students in our schools today. These
children suffer from inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, which affects them academically as
well as socially. This resource for teachers provides pertinent information centered around three
components of a successful program for children with ADHD: academic instruction, behavioral
interventions, and classroom accommodations. Ideas are given for conducting lessons, organizing
study skills, effective behavioral intervention techniques, the physical learning environment, and
more. The instructional strategies outlined in this booklet will help teachers improve the academic
performance and behavior of students with ADHD. (26 pages)
www.ed.gov/rschstat/research/pubs/adhd/adhd-teaching-2006.pdf

Evaluations Backgrounder: A Summary of Formal Evaluations of Afterschool Programs' Impact on Academics, Behavior, Safety and Family Life
A steady stream of afterschool evaluations are showing important gains for children, not only in terms of academic achievement but also in terms of safety, discipline, attendance and avoidance of risky behaviors. In addition, researchers have found that afterschool programs encourage increased parental involvement, an important building block for student success. This updated evaluations backgrounder focuses on the impact of afterschool programs on academic outcomes, student behavior and parental concerns about children's safety. http://afterschoolalliance.org/documents/EvaluationsBackgrounder2011.pdf

Afterschool and Summer Programs: Committed Partners in STEM Education
With generous support from the Noyce Foundation, three of the nation's leading afterschool and summer learning organizations are joining forces in a collaborative effort to promote Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) learning during the out-of-school hours. http://afterschoolalliance.org/STEM_JointPositionPaper.pdf

MetLife Innovator Awards http://afterschoolalliance.org/metLife.cfm

Afterschool Innovations in Brief: Focusing on Older Youth (2009)
With support from MetLife Foundation, the Afterschool Alliance has published this compilation of four issue briefs examining critical issues facing older youth and the vital role afterschool programs play in addressing these issues. http://afterschoolalliance.org/documents/Afterschool_In_Brief_09_FINAL.pdf

Uncertain Times (2009)
Released in June, Uncertain Times 2009 finds that just as children in their communities need more help, afterschool program leaders across the country say they are being forced to increase fees and reduce staffing, activities and hours to cope with budget cuts and rising costs. Nearly all respondents to a survey of afterschool programs (95 percent) say the recession is affecting their communities, with 60 percent seeing more kids going hungry or families struggling to provide food for children, and half seeing increased homelessness. Yet afterschool programs are unable to provide as much help as children need because their budgets are down. Eighty-six percent of respondents say children in their communities need afterschool care and are unable to access it. http://afterschoolalliance.org/UncertainTimes2009.cfm

Roadmap to Afterschool for All (2009)
With the Harvard School of Public Health and support from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation and the Atlantic Philanthropies, the Afterschool Alliance initiated the Roadmap to Afterschool for All a scientific study that for the first time assesses the current investment in afterschool programs from the public sector, parents, foundations and businesses, and estimates the additional investment needed from each sector to provide quality afterschool programs for all children. The research shows that parents are paying the lions share of afterschool costs, even among programs serving high poverty children, and that funding of all types is insufficient. http://afterschoolalliance.org/roadmap.cfm

Year In Review 2008
The past year presented the afterschool community with many obstacles, most notably the economic crises, but also many opportunities for growth. The year 2008 saw the celebration of ten years of 21st CCLC, one of the largest Lights On Afterschool rallies ever was held, and the Afterschool Alliance published the stories of so many whose lives have been transformed by afterschool in America's Afterschool Storybook. http://afterschoolalliance.org/documents/2008YearInReview.pdf

Afterschool Innovations in Brief
With support from MetLife Foundation, the Afterschool Alliance has published "Afterschool Innovations in Brief," a compilation of four issue briefs examining critical issues facing children, schools and communities, and the vital role afterschool programs play in addressing these issues. (May 2008) http://afterschoolalliance.org/Afterschool%20In%20Brief_08.pdf

Impossible Choices (2005)
A 2005 report on how states are addressing the federal failure to fully fund afterschool programs. http://afterschoolalliance.org/Impossible_choices.cfm

Uncertain Times (2006)
Funding Insecurity Puts Afterschool Programs at Risk - An August-September 2006 survey of more than 2000 afterschool programs examining issues related to funding and accessibility. Includes state level data where available. http://afterschoolalliance.org/Uncertain_Times.cfm

AFTERSCHOOL ALLIANCE (http://afterschoolalliance.org/researchTopicSuccessSchool.cfm)
Afterschool: Supporting Career and College Pathways for Middle School Age Youth (2011)
Afterschool programs offer a key opportunity to expose students to higher education options and career paths and teach them skills that can unlock doors to future career prospects. During the afterschool hours there is time for apprenticeships, guest speakers and project based activities that are not always available during a school day filled with the core curriculum. This MetLife Issue Brief focuses on the need to better prepare youth for high school, college, and careers, while keeping them on track and engaged in middle school. http://afterschoolalliance.org/issue_46_collegeCareer.cfm

Afterschool Benefits Kids with Special Needs (2008)
This issue brief highlights the effectiveness of afterschool programming in offering children with special needs an opportunity to develop alongside their non-disabled peers. The benefits of afterschool for kids with special needs include; improved performance on standardized tests, mastery of individualized education goals, higher grades, improved behavior and increased motivation to learn. http://afterschoolalliance.org/issue_34_specialneeds.cfm

Afterschool Fosters Success in School (2008)
This brief explores the various ways afterschool programs support student achievement. It is one in a series of Issue Briefs sponsored by the MetLife Foundation that addresses the benefits afterschool programs provide to children, families and communities. http://afterschoolalliance.org/issue_31_sch_success.cfm

AFTERSCHOOL & STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math)
Afterschool programs are complementary partners in the STEM education effort and offer hands-on projects and programs to excite children and youth about STEM topics and careers. The value and importance of afterschool programs in inspiring our children and youth about STEM is increasingly recognized by funders and policymakers.

Afterschool: Middle School and Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) (2010)

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. In order to stay competitive in the global marketplace and provide our children with the best chance to succeed in life, we must get more students on the STEM path. Combining STEM learning with afterschool programming offers middle school students a fun, challenging, hands-on introduction to the skills they will need in high school, college and the work place. This MetLife Issue Brief highlights afterschool programs that incorporate STEM activities, giving students time to develop an interest in science and inspiring them to learn. http://afterschoolalliance.org/issue_44_stem.cfm

Afterschool programs: At the STEM of learning (2008)
In order to better compete with their international peers in the 21st century, American students will need to be better prepared to work in the growing fields of science, technology, engineering, and math. This brief explains the ways in which afterschool can engage kids in these fields, collectively known as STEM. http://afterschoolalliance.org/issue_26_STEM.cfm

HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELLNESS IN AFTERSCHOOL Afterschool programs provide a place for children of all ages to engage in positive, healthy recreational, enrichment and social activities with peers in a safe environment. In this section you will find links to both articles and websites that you can use as a resource for program enhancement and resource development.

AFTERSCHOOL ALLIANCE (http://afterschoolalliance.org/researchTopicHealth.cfm)
Active Hours Afterschool: Childhood Obesity Prevention and Afterschool Programs (2006)
This brief explains how afterschool programs can play a major role in combating childhood obesity by offering healthy snacks and encouraging physical activity - and doing so in a safe and educational environment. http://afterschoolalliance.org/issue_24_obesity.cfm

Afterschool: Key to Health and Wellness for Pre-teens and Teens (2010)
As middle school students gain independence, they often phase out of organized sports or old interests. Many of these students don't have other opportunities for regular physical activity, especially if they are left unsupervised afterschool. Further, many of these youth are gaining access to cigarettes, alcohol and other substances for the first time. This MetLife Issue Brief shows how afterschool programs provide a place for youth to be physically active, while teaching them to make positive choices for themselves. http://afterschoolalliance.org/issue_45_Wellness.cfm

Afterschool and Pregnancy Prevention (2002)
This brief explains how a safe environment, positive role models, decision making skills, and health education offered by afterschool programs can aid in teenage pregnancy prevention.
http://afterschoolalliance.org/issue_11_pregnancy.cfm

Afterschool Programs: Keeping Kids - and Communities - Safe (2007)
As both youth victimization and youth violence are increasing, this brief examines the ways in which afterschool can help decrease youth crime, and increase youth safety, making communities as a whole safer. http://afterschoolalliance.org/issue_27_CrimeIB.cfm

Afterschool and Healthy Youth (2004)
This brief describes how, through offering healthy snacks and time for physical activity, including nutrition or health in the curriculum, and building self-esteem, afterschool programs can encourage and enforce healthy lifestyles. http://afterschoolalliance.org/issue_8_fit.cfm

How the Arts Can Enhance After-School Programs
U.S. Department of Education and National Endowment for the Arts
This report provides an introduction to the role of the arts in afterschool programs. It includes
a brief summary of recent research findings about both arts and afterschool programs, a
description of the key elements of successful programs, and examples of successful programs
and partnerships. (24 pages) www.arts.gov/pub/artsafterschool/artsedpub.html

FAMILY ENGAGEMENT

AFTERSCHOOL ALLIANCE
Afterschool - Bridging Schools, Families and Community
Afterschool programs benefit more than just the children, youth and families they serve; afterschool programs also benefit schools, community organizations and the business community. Click here to learn more. http://afterschoolalliance.org/researchTopicBridging.cfm

OLDER YOUTH

Afterschool Alliance: Learn how quality afterschool programs for older youth can help youth stay on track for success, teach life skills and prepare youth for college and the future workforce. http://afterschoolalliance.org/researchTopicOlderYouth.cfm

Afterschool Innovations in Brief: Engaging Middle School Youth (2011)
With support from MetLife Foundation, the Afterschool Alliance is proud to present this series of four Issue Briefs examining critical issues facing middle school youth, schools and communities, and the vital role afterschool programs play in addressing these issues. The four briefs address: the multiple benefits of afterschool for middle school youth; Science, Technology, Math and Engineering (STEM); health and wellness for pre-teens and teens; and pathways to higher education and careers. http://afterschoolalliance.org/documents/MetLifeCompendium.pdf

Afterschool: Providing Multiple Benefits to Middle School Students (2010)
Students in middle school (grades 6 through 8) face unique challenges as they transition from elementary school to high school. Some youth feel ready for more independence and autonomy, while others still desire the structure and nurturing environment found in elementary school. Regardless of where a child may be developmentally, these years are critical in keeping kids engaged in school and on the right path. Most middle school students are too young to work, and many feel that afterschool programs are designed for younger kids, and they are unwilling to participate. But they need a safe place to go, have fun, and learn. This MetLife Issue Brief provides an overview of middle school age youth and feature afterschool programs that are helping them navigate these waters, preparing them for success in high school, college, and beyond. http://afterschoolalliance.org/issue_42_MiddleSchool.cfm

Afterschool: A Place for Older Youth to Mentor and Be Mentored (2009)
Mentoring is a critical element in every child's social, emotional and cognitive development. It builds a sense of industry and competency, boosts academic performance and broadens horizons. Along with parents, mentors help young people realize their potential by providing them with support, advice, encouragement and friendship. Afterschool programs, with their history of supporting families and communities, are an ideal platform for successful mentoring programs. http://afterschoolalliance.org/documents/Afterschool_In_Brief_09_FINAL.pdf

Afterschool: A High School Dropout Prevention Tool (2009)
Over one million students who enter ninth grade each year fail to graduate with their peers four years later because they drop out of school. Seven thousand students drop out of school every day, and each year roughly 1.2 million students fail to graduate from high school. More than half of these students are from minority groups. Afterschool programs are a proven way to address the issues and risk factors that lead to dropout and provide a path to graduation and beyond. http://afterschoolalliance.org/issue_38_DropoutPrevention.cfm

Recruiting and Retaining Older Youth in Afterschool (2009)
Not only are middle and high school-aged youth difficult to engage in afterschool activities, but they are more likely to have unique demands on their time in the hours afterschool. This issue brief highlights the challenges providers face in serving older youth and the innovative strategies that programs have used to recruit and retain older youth in afterschool. http://afterschoolalliance.org/issue_37_recruitingandretaining.cfm