To identify what stands between schools and afterschool programs and what can connect them, the lead author, Ken Anthony, conducted an exploratory study in three schools in a southern New England city. In all, 18 interviews were conducted with school and afterschool staff. Following a framework proposed by Tracy Bennett (2015), this exploratory…

Reviews several voluntary extended school day programs for elementary school children. (JB)

Describes several innovative after-school enrichment programs, including their specific focus and activities. Notes concerns about "burn-out" for some children after a full day of school work. Includes tips for getting such a program started. (HTH)

Three companies (Voyager Expanded Learning, Mindsurf, and EXPLORE) have introduced after-school programs that emphasize stress-free academic enrichment activities. The companies differ, but share a fun-learning concept, maintain low staff-child ratios of about 1:8, and serve grades K-8. The operative words are flexibility and affordability. Some…

Out-of-school educational settings and activities should involve varied learning modes deviating from the narrow skills and tasks of schooling. As a Los Angeles after-school program shows, students learn better when instruction builds on what they already know, helps them express their ideas, and develops activities related to their interests.…

This report details a case study of the Tutor-Mentor Connection (T/MC), an organization designed to build infrastructures to expand and improve after-school tutoring and mentoring opportunities for inner-city children in Chicago. The case study was conducted over a 3-month period in 1997 and was intended as a limited exploration of one model for…

An art teacher at an inner city elementary school has found that his young students are eager to join his after-school art club and to tackle the difficult processes of etching and printmaking. This article describes the program's printmaking procedures and facilities. (SJL)

This digest presents a description of three innovative interventions designed to support student literacy acquisition outside the classroom in low resource communities. It begins with a discussion of literacy related issues in low resource environments, noting that an increasing number of children who are not acquiring a basic education live in…

La Escuelita, a Warwick (Rhode Island) Spanish language instruction program for children in grades 3 through 6, originated in 1983 in a group-tutoring program and expanded under the auspices of the local Parent-Teacher Association into an after-school activity for all city schoolchildren. The PTA undertook the administrative tasks, and the…

Describes an after-school science program, "Hands On Science," in which children from kindergarten though sixth grade discover that the application of science and technology begins with simple materials, a need, and their minds. (Author/BB)

The Child First Authority (CFA) is a Baltimore (Maryland) community-wide after-school program that seeks to improve the quality of life in low socioeconomic status communities. The CFA, which is funded by local government agencies and coordinated by Baltimoreans United in Leadership Development (BUILD), established after-school programs in 10…

Discusses the importance of collaborations between organizations specializing in child care, such as the YMCA and the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, and public schools for enhancing the quality of after-school programs. Describes the collaborative efforts of elementary schools in Georgia with a Boys and Girls Club and state and county…

Despite the demonstrated social value of out-of-school time and community school initiatives, such programs lack dedicated funding sources available to support their efforts. This strategy brief argues that Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act can serve as an important funding source for out-of-school time programs and community…

This paper provides an overview of the Voyager Expanded Learning programs. Initially begun with hands-on, activity-based learning experiences centered around academic themes designed to pique children's interest and motivate them to learn, Voyager has expanded from elementary after- and summer-school programs to include K-8 programs designed for…

Noting the increasing use of out of school care (school-age care outside of normal school hours) in Scotland, this report reviews research on : care-focused provision and study support. Considered in the review were 33 reports referring to work in the United Kingdom, 3 referring to Scandinavian practice, and 1 report on U.S. research. The report…