Research
Increasingly, researchers have been studying best practices in designing programs for young people. Their research guides our work.
Here are tools and resources for evaluating out-of-school-time programs, a database of OST evaluations or studies about specific programs.
- Urban Institute evaluation
- Citizen Schools evaluation
- Harvard Family Research Project Evaluation Database
- Harvard Family Research Project: Attracting and sustaining youth participation in OST
- National Partnership for Quality Afterschool Learning (evaluation resources)
- Northwest Regional Education Lab - OST Evaluation Tools
- Toolkit for Evaluating Positive Youth Development
- University of Wisconsin study of Promising After-School Programs
- Beyond Safe Havens: A synthesis of 20 years of Research on Boys and Girls Clubs
- Strategies for After School Success
- Advancing Achievement: Findings from an Independent Evaluation of a Major After-School Initiative
- What Matters, What Works: Advancing Achievement After School
- Supporting Success: Why and How to Improve Quality in After-School Programs
- After-School Toolkit: Tips, Techniques and Templates for Improving Program Quality
- Gaining Ground: Supporting English Learners Through After-School Literacy Programming
Additional Resources
Here are resources for promising practices with some of the best and most up-to-date thinking in the field regarding attendance, summer learning, mentoring, curriculum and activity ideas. You’ll find even more on these web sites’ links to additional resources.
- Boston’s AfterSchool for All (range of topics)
- Center for Summer Learning (summer)
- Coalition for Science After School (science)
- Exemplary After-School Arts Program Components (arts)
- Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning (OST program for at-risk students)
- Mentoring - After School Resources
National Partnership for Quality Afterschool Learning:
- Promising Practices in Afterschool (range of topics)
- Afterschool Exchange (activities and tips for afterschool educators)
