Posted in Research on May 19, 2009| Leave a Comment »
Youth Today is researching an advice piece about how to manage and keep volunteers. We think this is especially important considering the state of the economy. We’re interested in hearing about anything you do, from systematic processes, like focused recruitment and ongoing training, to individual, as-they-happen efforts, like gift cards, phone calls, etc.
Thanks, all.
Patrick Boyle, Editor
Youth Today
pboyle@youthtoday.org
Posted in Research, Resources on May 15, 2009| Leave a Comment »
PEAR (Program in Education, Afterschool and Resiliency), Belmont, MA
A new resource designed to help practitioners, evaluators, researchers and policymakers select instruments to assess science learning and child outcomes in out-of-school programs is now available. PEAR, a Harvard University-McLean Hospital team led by Dr. Gil Noam, has developed a searchable database of assessment tools for evaluating program quality and outcomes.
Afterschool programs are gaining recognition as settings that hold great potential for increasing scientific literacy and engagement in youth. Yet some questions remain: How do we know when afterschool programs achieve their goals? What evaluative tools should we use when assessing afterschool science programs? How can we be sure the evaluative tools we use are valid and reliable — are they appropriately measuring science programming and outcomes?
Evaluating afterschool science programming is essential for ensuring and improving the quality of informal science experiences for youth. Sites that assess science programming are also better positioned to gain additional resources and are more attractive to funders and potential partners. The Noyce Foundation, a leading strategic funder in the afterschool science field, requisitioned a yearlong study on the current state and needs of the informal science assessment world. The design for the PEAR study is based on an evaluative framework developed in a recent National Science Foundation report by Alan J. Friedman, David A. Ucko and committee. The PEAR study yielded an in-depth, analytical review of existing evaluation tools. Results are documented in a report “Toward a Systemic Evidence-Base for Science in Out-of-School Time: The Role of Assessment.” The new, searchable ATIS website makes information about these assessment tools easily accessible.
Come explore the website at atis.pearweb.org. Read reviews and ratings by practitioners who are using these tools. You are also invited to write reviews on instruments that you are using. The site will be continuously updated in collaboration with youth development researchers at 4-H.
For further information about this website, please contact us or visit pearweb.org.
Posted in General, Research on May 11, 2009| Leave a Comment »
The Afterschool Matters Journal is produced at the National Institute on Out-of-School Time at Wellesley College. We are currently seeking articles for the Spring 2010 issue. Please consider submitting an article
and please pass the attached Call for Papers on to your colleagues in the education and child and youth development fields. For latest issues check out journal at http://www.niost.org. See attached Call for Papers.
Georgia Hall, Ph.D.
Senior Research Scientist
National Institute on Out-of-School Time, http://www.niost.org
Wellesley Centers for Women
www.wcwonline.org
e-mail: ghall@wellesley.edu phone: 781-283-2530 fax: 781-283-3657
Wellesley College, 106 Central Street, Wellesley, MA 02481
Posted in Advocacy, Research on April 23, 2009| Leave a Comment »
The Afterschool Alliance is conducting a survey to determine how the demand for afterschool may be changing as unemployment rises, costs increase, and state and local governments face shortfalls. We need your help: please take a few moments to complete our web-based survey. As we work with policy makers, funders and the media, the Afterschool Alliance is engaged in conveying the many ways the economic downturn is affecting afterschool programs. We want to know: What are the trends in enrollment, funding, and capacity right now? Have funding sources changed in the last several years and if so, how is that affecting students and families?
With your help, we can build a strong information base that will help inform conversations with decision makers. When you are filling out the survey keep in mind:
· We encourage site level coordinators to answer questions specific to their one site when possible.
· If data, including funding information, are only available at the program or consortium level, please respond on behalf of the entire program/consortium and be sure to indicate the number of sites for which you are responding.
· Please complete this survey by the close of business Wednesday, April 29.
Five lucky respondents who completely fill out the survey will be chosen at random for a $50 Discount School Supplies gift certificate. You do not need to sign up for any services to participate and your individual information will not be shared.
Thank you in advance for your participation.
The Afterschool Alliance
Posted in Research, Resources on April 21, 2009| Leave a Comment »
A new report by the National Governors Association (NGA) Center and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) highlights the positive impact high-quality Extended Learning Opportunities ELOs have on student success and offers state leaders a blueprint to ensure ELO effectiveness.
For more, see the press release or download the report. For the moment, it’s also available as the first story on the NGA homepage.
Posted in Research on April 21, 2009| Leave a Comment »
New Publication: Learning Around the Clock: The Benefits of Expanded Learning Opportunities for Older Youth <http://www.aypf.org/documents/LearningAroundtheClockBenefitsofExpandedLearningOpportunitiesforOlderYouth.htm>
We are pleased to announce the release of a new AYPF publication, Learning Around the Clock: Benefits of Expanded Learning Opportunities for Older Youth, which profiles 22 programs that provide quality expanded learning opportunities (ELOs) for older youth. This publication is currently available on our website at www.aypf.org/publications <http://www.aypf.org/publications> .
Learning Around the Clock: Benefits of Expanded Learning Opportunities for Older Youth provides evidence that ELOs improve academic performance, college and career preparation, social and emotional development, and health and wellness for youth. Expanded learning opportunities encompass a range of programs and activities available to young people that occur beyond regular school hours and include traditional afterschool activities with an academic focus, but also activities such as internships with employers, independent study in alternative settings, classes on college campuses for high school students, and wraparound support services.
This report summarizes 22 evaluations of high-quality ELOs to give policymakers and practitioners a quick understanding of the research findings on effective programs, along with a description of why these programs work. The report describes key program elements that lead to successful outcomes, such as experiential learning, high-quality staff with ongoing professional development, student-centered programming, and supportive adult and peer-to-peer relations. The report also provides recommendations for policymakers to support ELOs by developing shared accountability systems; supporting partnerships and collaboration across systems; focusing on quality by building capacity; ensuring equity and access for youth; improving data collection, evaluation, and research; and ensuring the sustainability of ELOs. The complete report is available online at www.aypf.org/publications <http://www.aypf.org/publications> . To order a hard copy of Learning Around the Clock: Benefits of Expanded Learning Opportunities for Older Youth, please contact AYPF at 202-775-9731 or email aypf@aypf.org.
Funded by the C.S. Mott Foundation
Innovative Learning Solutions 