Dive Brief:
- New Yorkc City Mayor Bill de Blasio has introduced new, expanded after-school programming for the city's public middle schools.
- By Friday, 34,000 students had signed up for the 71,000 available spots, and the new programming began this week.
- The expansion leaves the after-school program about twice the size it was last year.
Dive Insight:
Critics of tax dollars being spent on after-school programming may point to the fact that despite the open slots doubling from last year, the same number of students have signed up. De Blasio, however, has expressed confidence that the program will eventually fill out and hit capacity. Ultimately, what he believes is more important to focus on is the goal of the programming: Providing students with a safe place to go after the regular school day. Universal pre-K, which provides the youngest students with an educational place to go during the day, was de Blasio's first goal, however, this after school programming appears to have similar benefits. Instead of watching TV or playing video games (or getting in trouble), kids can engage in productive activities.