Dive Brief:
- After-school programs have great potential to close opportunity and achievement gaps between kids from low-income families and their wealthier peers, but schools must overcome challenges relating to cost.
- District Administration reports more than 10 million school children participated in after school programs in 2014, up from 6.5 million in 2004, but nearly double that amount would enroll if programs were available to them, gaining access to future career inspiration and more time to master both academic and non-academic skills.
- Many after-school programs rely on parent fees, while some get grant support to offer programs for free — either way, education leaders recommend starting with a needs assessment to create a program that works and partnering with community groups like YMCAs, Boys and Girls Clubs, or libraries.
Dive Insight:
Much as kids from low-income families are at a disadvantage during the summer months, when they are far more likely to experience summer learning loss, these children have fewer opportunities to participate in enrichment activities during the school year. While the school day can seem long, it still leaves many hours for children to fall behind or pull ahead of peers based on how they use their after-school hours. But, with tight budgets and a long list of compulsory services, after-school programming is a luxury. Developing partnerships is an important strategy for districts. Many organizations already serve local students outside of the school day. Perhaps access to free school space can increase the capacity of area non-profits, creating a foundation for returns to the school itself in student achievement.