Researchers Say . . . Five Components Are Key to Improving Afterschool Programs

The National Center for Research on Evaluation, Standards, & Student Testing combed through research findings and program evaluations to develop an improvement model for afterschool programs. The focus is on goals, leadership, staffing, program characteristics, and evaluation.

1. Goals are clear, rigorous, and supported across the program in structure and content. Funding is adequate to support goals.

2. Leadership is experienced, well-educated, has longevity at the current site, uses effective communications, sets high expectations, and has a bottoms-up management style.

3. Staff is experienced, has longevity at current program, relates well to students, models high expectations, motivates and engages students, and works well with leaders, colleagues, and parents.

4. Program aligns to the day school, provides time for students to study, learn and practice; includes motivational activities, frequently uses technology, science and the arts to support youth development, student learning, and engagement.

5. Evaluation uses both internal (formative) and external (summative) methods. Evaluative information and data accurately measure goals; results are applied to continuous program improvement.

Follow this link to read the 15 page report published in Summer 2011: http://www.cse.ucla.edu/products/policy/huang_MAPB_v5.pdf

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