To increase educators' awareness of the plight of latchkey children, this study reviewed literature concerning the negative and positive effects experienced by latchkey children. Also examined were possible solutions to the problem through techniques, guidelines, and existing programs. The first section of the review provides 12 annotated…

This paper summarizes data from evaluations of community school initiatives. Section 1 describes community schools, discusses the nature and limitations of existing research on effectiveness, and summarizes findings from 49 community school initiatives. This section also includes three examples of evaluations. All of the reports present findings…

Suggests a new conceptualization of homework as a task that infiltrates family and peer dynamics and the nature of teaching in community organizations and in school. Argues that homework has important benefits for peer communication, thereby increasing a sense of community. Asserts that students can develop an aptitude for future homework from the…

Low attendance in out-of-school time programs is the norm for many middle and high school participants. Using a database of more than 60 recent evaluations of out-of-school time programs, the authors examine reasons youth give for staying and leaving programs. They outline a proposed set of promising strategies for both attracting and sustaining…

High-quality family child care and school-age programs have characteristics to promote positive relationships among families and children that enhance children's development and family functioning, much like the thriving neighborhoods of previous generations. These characteristics include choice and variety, environments emphasizing safety and…

Presents background information and reviews empirical research concerning the phenomenon of latchkey children. (Author/BB)

Summarizes 10 recent ERIC documents concerning the development and education of young adolescents. Issues covered in these documents include the definition of adolescence and adolescence in relation to sexual, physical, cognitive, and social development, family life, after-school needs, risk-taking behavior, educational needs, and teacher…

There is a strong relationship between students' socioeconomic status and their levels of academic achievement. Although educators should be held accountable for improving the performance of all students, including those living in poverty, schools alone can't eliminate the negative factors associated with poverty that lead to a large achievement…

This report describes programs that have been developed to improve students' attention to and success with homework assignments. The four predominant types of programs, as identified through an informal survey of 100 school systems around the United States, are discussed: (1) recorded messages by voice mail; (2) live telephone homework help…

Prompted by the lack of federal involvement in extended day programs for elementary school students in Chicago, this literature review presents background information on national after-school programs for school-age children. Discussed are the history of federal involvement in child care, current federal legislation and programs, the participation…

Research suggests that after-school programs reduce juvenile crime and risky behavior; increase confidence, academic performance, and social skills; and build positive adult-child and home-school relationships. The need for supervised after-school activities, especially in poor neighborhoods; the characteristics of successful programs; and the…

Through state-supported day care programs for employees' children, incentives for industry-supported programs, and careful review of the regulation of child care providers, states are beginning to meet the growing demand for quality child care facilities. In 1984, 34 states considered or adopted changes in policies regulating day care providers.…

A growing body of evidence confirms what makes sense intuitively--quality matters for participation in after school programs. Nationwide, a chief concern among after school stakeholders is programming for middle schoolers--too "old" to be told what to do after school and too "young" to be left home alone. A national dialogue about the state of…

Results of research and evaluation efforts are just beginning to shed some light on how to create and maintain high-quality after-school programs. This research roundup reviews five documents that touch upon a range of issues related to the developing field of after-school programming. "Getting School-Based After-School Programming Off the Ground"…

This research compendium summarizes and reviews the evaluations of 13 out-of-school time programs with positive outcomes for young people. The programs are (1) 4-H; (2) 21st Century Community Learning Centers; (3) The After-School Corporation; (4) Beacons; (5) BELL After School Instructional Curriculum; (6) Big Brothers Big Sisters of America; (7)…