Out-of-School Programs

Current Education News & Trends

Nordyka PulaiSPED 4030 / 5030Choice Online Module AssignmentSeptember 27, 2011

Introduction

Out-of-School (or after school) programs are typically described as programs:

“taking place immediately following school class and a program designed to care for and [provide] education

enhancement for children”

Denver Public Schools’ Department of Extended Learning and Community Schools focuses on providing “DPS students a safe, enriching place to continue their studies, explore new skills, and make friends during out-of-school time” ("Denver Public Schools")

Introduction

Out-of-School programs can encapsulate a variety of activities, which may include:

◦ Sports programs Basketball, football, soccer, softball, swimming, etc.

◦ Study Groups Extra library time, programs for ELLs, study time with fellow

students or teachers, etc.◦ Clubs

Chess club, Model UN club, Glee club, Gaming club, 4H, etc.◦ Classes not offered during the school day

Art (painting, pottery, etc.), Foreign Languages, Musical Instruments, etc.

Introduction

Current Education News & Trends

Currently, there is overwhelming support from the educators as well as parents, students, communities, business leaders and legislators for after school programs

HOWEVER, funding for Out-of-School programs is often woefully small or non-existent

In the current economic climate, Out-of-School programs are often the first to be cut by school districts

The burden for providing Out-of-School opportunities often falls upon the shoulders of individual teachers and parents

Current Education News & Trends

According to a report on National Public Radio, in an interview with a high school principal and reporters from Education Week:◦ Cuts to before- and after-school programs are

the first to be considered by school districts facing budget crises

◦ There are more than 40 states facing budget shortfalls, and many newly elected officials pledging not to raise taxes, therefore education is being trimmed to the bare necessities

Current Education News & Trends

(Conan, 2011)

In a White House blog “Closing the Achievement Gap with Arts Programs”, by Ramon Gonzalez, the author urges schools to transform into Arts Powered Schools

While not a formal program, these schools provide a focus on arts and education so that they can become “activist centers that use the arts to build a community of learners”

According to the blog, programs the interweave arts into the curriculum “closed the reading gap by nearly 15 points over a three year period”

Current Education News & Trends

(Gonzalez, 2011)

Impact of No Child Left Behind (NCLB)

Under the rules of No Child Left Behind (NCLB), many underperforming schools are citing Out-of-School programs as a component of their school improvement plans

“Researchers at the Midwest Regional Education Laboratory Program, supported by the federal Department of Education examined improvement plans from Title I schools in Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Ohio. They found 980 of them listed before-school, after-school, and summer programs as a means to improve school performance. Roughly 90 percent also listed increased parent involvement as a goal to help student achievement”

Current Education News & Trends

(Fleming, 2011)

In Colorado According to the Colorado Department of Education:

◦ “After school programs are a proven method of helping to improve a school's performance. Studies show that afterschool programs improve academic achievement, reduce grade retention and increase student attendance and interest in school. Across the country, afterschool is a key element in strategies to turn around under-performing schools.

◦ Congress recognized the benefits of afterschool by mandating provision of extra learning opportunities in afterschool hours through the creation of the Title I Supplemental Educational Services program.

◦ According to state departments of education, more than 7,000 schools in the United States are considered in need of improvement. Some characteristics of successful schools include high academic achievement, clear standards and evaluation processes, community involvement and students who are engaged in learning. After school programs offer a chance to reinforce and supplement the curriculum by offering new and different opportunities for learning that further engage students in school. Community involvement frequently is built in, as many afterschool programs are partners with community- and faith-based organizations.”

Current Education News & Trends

("Colorado Department of Education")

In Colorado

In Colorado, 31% (251,728) of K-12 youth are responsible for taking care of themselves after school

Of all Colorado children not currently enrolled in afterschool, 40% (280,842) would be likely to participate IF an afterschool program were available in their community

90% of parents in Colorado are satisfied with the afterschool program their child attends.

13% (102,139) of Colorado's K-12 children participate in afterschool programs, including 9,928 kids in programs supported by the U.S. Department of Education's 21st Century Community Learning Centers initiative, the only federal program dedicated to afterschool

Current Education News & Trends

("Afterschool alliance," 2011)

In the Denver Public School District

The Department of Extended Learning and Community Schools

Mission Statement : The Department of Extended Learning and Community Schools facilitates the creation and implementation of school-based services during out-of-school time in partnership with the community

Vision:◦ The Department of Extended Learning and Community Schools will be

the facilitator, advocate, resource and guide for out-of-school programming in the Denver Public Schools

◦ Quality educational, enrichment, and child-care programming will be offered at every elementary and middle school

◦ Every program will represent collaboration among parents, schools and community

Current Education News & Trends

("Denver Public Schools")

At Denver Center for International Studies

At DCIS there are many opportunities for students to get involved in Out-of-School Programs

The support by teachers and administrators is strong and committed.

The PTO organization supports Out-of-School programs with funding if it is available

Students generally seem to want to be involved in something. In my observations, I see students having the chance to follow their interests

Current Education News & Trends

At Denver Center for International Studies Some examples of Out-of-School

programs, clubs and activities at DCIS are:

Current Education News & Trends

• Chess Club• 6th Grade Boys Reading Club• eXtreme (a Glee Club)• Model United Nations• Gaming Club• Lunch Club (for studying)• Destination Imagination• Student Council• for both Middle and High

School students• Debate Club

• After School Sports:• Softball• Soccer• Volleyball• Track Team• Baseball• Basketball

• Americans Promoting Study Abroad• Fantasy Novel Enthusiasts Group

• and many more . . . . .

Resources

Afterschool Alliancewww.afterschoolalliance.org“The Afterschool Alliance is working to ensure that all children have access

to affordable, quality afterschool programs”

◦ Vision: The Alliance works to ensure all youth have access to affordable, quality afterschool programs

◦ Mission: To engage public will to increase public and private investment in quality afterschool initiatives at the national, state and local levels

Resources

Colorado Afterschool Networkwww.coloradoafterschoolnetwork.org

The “Colorado Afterschool Network (CAN) seeks to connect providers, policymakers and other stakeholders throughout Colorado into a force demonstrating that after school programs

work and are a vital part of community life.”

◦ Vision: A future where youth learn, contribute and thrive by participating in quality out-of-school opportunities within Colorado communities

◦ Goals: Build public will and foster public support around the importance of out-of-school

learning opportunities Develop policy and/or influence policy regarding the systems, support and

resources related to out-of-school learning opportunities Promote quality out-of-school time programs through opportunities for

professional development

Resources

City of DenverMayor’s Office For Education and Children

www.denvergov.org/educationandchildren“Denver’s promotion of quality after school and summer opportunities

is a national model.  Its creation of funding streams, assessment of programs, and coordination of efforts is helping to ensure that programs

across the city are of high quality, accessible, and sustainable.” 

Resources on the webpage include:◦ An After School Program Provider Directory (.pdf)◦ Professional Development resources and link◦ Lights On After School (LOAS): A Partnership with the Denver Public Schools

Foundation and Mile High United Way

Resources

Harvard Family Research Project www.hfrp.org/out-of-school-time

“We believe that out-of-school time supports and opportunities are essential to healthy learning and development.  Therefore, our out-of-school time work strives to promote quality, accessibility, and sustainability of out-of-school time (OST) programs and activities across the nation. Our OST resources

support the work of practitioners, policymakers, and researchers.”  

Resources on the webpage include:◦ A database and bibliography of research studies and evaluations of out-of-school

time programs◦ Publications and Resources of their research-based tools◦ Information on current projects and research in progress

Resources

Local After School Programs

Local After School Programs

Personal Connections

I am strongly committed to the value and opportunities

offered by Out-of-School programs

With my family:◦ My children participate in multiple extracurricular

sports: soccer, tumbling, swimming, basketball and running club

◦ Additionally, they participate in art and music classes through South Suburban

◦ My first grader will soon be participating in an Intro to Spanish after school program

Personal Connections

In my community:

◦ I am the team coach for two Destination Imagination teams: A 7th/8th grade team from Cherry Hills Christian Middle School A 1st grade Rising Stars team from Runyon Elementary

◦ I am the team mom for both of my son’s soccer teams – coordinating snacks, planning the end of season party and trophies

Personal Connections

As an educator:

◦ I will support any student who is involved in an extracurricular sport, club or activity

◦ If a student needs extra assistance with studies and/or homework, I will make time to work with that student before, after or during school hours

◦ I will advocate for programs and encourage students to participate

◦ I will connect students to programs and activities that may inspire them and help them connect to the community

Personal Connections

Works Cited

Afterschool alliance. (2011, September 24). Retrieved from http://www.afterschoolalliance.org/index.cfm

Colorado afterschool network. (2011, September 24). Retrieved from http://www.coloradoafterschoolnetwork.org/

 Conan, N. (2011). What school district budget cuts mean for students [Radio series episode]. In Talk of the Nation. National Public Radio.

"Dropout Prevention & Student Engagement." Colorado Department of Education. Web. 25 Sep 2011. <http://www.cde.state.co.us/DropoutPrevention/bestpractices/TransitionPrograms-Resources.htm>.

 "Extended Learning and Community Schools." Denver Public Schools. Web. 25 Sep 2011. <http://dce.dpsk12.org/>.

Fleming, N. (2011, April 26). Out-of-school time cited as strategy for school turnaround. Education Week, Retrieved from http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/beyond_schools/2011/04/ost_a_strategy_for_school_turnaround.html?qs=out+of+school+time

Gonzalez, R. (2011, July 26). Closing the achievement gap with arts programming [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/07/26/closing-achievement-gap-arts-programming

Works Cited