This review searched English-language journals from the United Kingdom and other countries to assess empirical evidence concerning good practice in the provision of out-of-school child care. Findings suggest that quality in out-of-school provision is linked to staff training, program structure, and appropriate adult-child ratios and group sizes.…

One of the requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act is that school districts with underperforming schools must provide supplemental educational services outside of school hours for their lowest-achieving students. The most effective supplemental programs are characterized by: a strong tutor/parent/teacher connection; experienced providers;…

Describes an after-school program in New York City designed to help inner-city high school students understand ecological concepts. (KHR)

Discusses the Early Adolescent Helper program, which was designed to provide a safe and positive after-school environment for young people. In this program, 10- to 15-year-olds serve in day care, Head Start, latchkey programs, and at senior centers. (RJC)

Because schools are staggering under responsibilities abdicated by family, community, church, and industry, they are failing to educate. Two schools are necessary: the academic school, with instruction devoted exclusively to the arts and sciences; and an afterhours parallel school providing sports and extracurricular activities, social services,…

Investigated child and family experiences with after-school care programs. Examined 5- to 12-year-olds' experiences, including satisfaction with activities and organization, friendship and homework patterns, and the impact of care on family relationships. Found that patterns of participation in after-school care are closely aligned with the…

Although after-school programs offer many activities--from cooking classes to computer technology, homework assistance, and sports--they also provide an effective environment for health education and wellness instruction, especially pregnancy prevention. Exemplary programs for middle- and high-schoolers in Palm Beach County, Florida, are…

Influencing and mentoring underachieving students is one mission of the Ambridge Area Community Learning Center in Beaver County, Pennsylvania. Operating with a 3-year, $90,000 grant from Pittsburgh's Grable Foundation, the "lifelong" learning center offers classes, workshops, and services to all ages. (MLH)

Presents a method of evaluating youth programs in accordance to a youth development agenda. Surveys of black adolescents regarding after-school and school-day experiences, and of students from other after-school programs, indicate that only some after-school programs provide more youth development opportunities and supports than school-day…

Examines the historical development of after-school programs serving low-income children, including objectives and practices in each era, formative influences, implementation challenges, and role in children's lives. In the final section, the paper discusses the current pressures facing after-school programs and suggests and appropriate set of…

Study found that graduate rates and college attendance of students who participated in two I Have a Dream (IHAD) afterschool programs in Chicago increased significantly. Describes what was learned and identifies four lessons districts can use to replicate Chicago's success with their own afterschool programs. (PKP)

If educators expect more children to be successful in literacy experiences at school, then they must strive to form lasting partnerships with parents (Fried, 2001). The educators working with the after-school and summer literacy program actively sought to form partnerships with family members at a small rural elementary school in a southern state.…

In this article two computer-produced multimedia stories created by children in their after-school centre are analysed, building on the assumption that children draw that which is important for them. The aim is to make visible the significance of narrative structure, reaccentuation, intertextuality, multivoicedness and various levels of…

Preservation of clean water resources and after school concern about the kids, in South-East Michigan, led to the formation of "The Water Educational Training" (WET) science project. The main goal of WET is to create environment awareness in elementary and middle after school settings.

Many middle school and high school youth recognize the value of participating in organized activities outside school, yet too often they limit their involvement because of busy schedules and family lives, disinterest in existing activity choices, lack of motivation to attend organized activities or the lure of freedom or relaxation over structured…