Research

Increasingly, researchers have been studying what works and what doesn’t in designing programs for young people. Their research can guide our work. In addition to the resources listed below, The Fannie Mae Foundation hosts www.gettingconnecteddc.org, which includes information and links to many excellent after-school resources.

Research/Evaluation

The Trust commissioned a study on OST needs in the District as part of the business planning process for Project My Time.

• Market Street Reseach OST Needs Assessment  

Tools and resources for evaluating out-of-school-time programs, a database of OST evaluations, or studies about specific programs. 

• 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

Resources for Promising Practices

Some of the best and most up-to-date thinking in the field regarding attendance, summer learning, mentoring, curriculum and activity ideas, and more. You’ll find even more on these websites’ 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: (toolkit of enrichment activities) (curriculum databases)
• Promising Practices in Afterschool (range of topics)
• Afterschool Exchange (activities and tips for afterschool educators)

Comprehensive Afterschool Websites

Websites that have a variety of resources and information worth exploring.

• After School Alliance
• Boston’s AfterSchool for All
• Federal resources for OST providers
• National Institute on Out of School Time
• National AfterSchool Association
• The Partnership for After School Education
• The After School Corporation (New York City)
• National Partnership for Quality Afterschool Learning (resource guide for planning and operating OST programs)
• The After School Institute (Baltimore)

Focus on Middle School

• Afterschool All Stars
• Citizen Schools
• Youth Report to America