A project was designed to expose and orient Hispanic high school students in New London, Connecticut, to vocational education generally not available to them and to provide them with effective bilingual vocational education. Twenty Hispanic youths aged 13 to 21 were enrolled in an after-school exploratory vocational program. Students were exposed…

Described are the compensatory programs in some of the inner city schools in Kansas City, Missouri. The efforts included reading programs, after-school recreational activities and study centers, cultural enrichment, community and parent involvement, teacher seminars, and speech improvement. (NH)

The independent reading behavior of 150 achieving fifth graders was investigated. Attention was directed toward the quality and variety of choice as well as to the number of books read. These variables were intercorrelated with standardized achievement tests, IQ, and a number of noncognitive and demographic variables. Indices of quantity, variety,…

Results suggest that SES is a greater determinant of participation in private and semi-private out-of-school educational opportunities than is ethnicity. For public area activities use was fairly similar except for the Asian American's reported greater use than the black Americans. Neither propinquity nor parental attitude is related to use.…

Describes an after-school science program, "Hands On Science," in which children from kindergarten though sixth grade discover that the application of science and technology begins with simple materials, a need, and their minds. (Author/BB)

If the world of after-school programs is to be made more coherent, that process will occur mostly (and is being attempted mostly) at the city level. This brief document analyzes the tasks, questions, and challenges associated with what can be described as system-building in the after-school field, focusing on city level efforts. [This report was…

In approximately 60% of married-couple families with children under the age of 18, both parents work outside the home. Among single-parent families in 2004, the mother was employed in 72% of those maintained by women, and the father was employed in 83% of those maintained by men. 55% of all children in low-income families have at least one parent…

The Department of Defense (DoD) is committed to meeting the need for child care among military families. DoD supports the largest employer-sponsored system of high-quality child care in the country. Through accredited child development centers (CDCs), family child care (FCC) homes, youth centers, and other after-school programs, DoD currently…

This report by the National Institute on Out-of- School Time (NIOST) in association with The Forum for Youth (FYI) investigates how after-school programs in Boston can most effectively promote positive youth development as a support to academic achievement. The positive youth development approach addresses the broader developmental needs of youth,…

This report examines the effects of out-of-school time on children during early adolescence, when children go through dramatic physical, emotional, and cognitive changes. It discusses the role of afterschool programs in helping young people navigate early adolescence to successful adulthood. Nine sections look at: (1) "Introduction"; (2)…

This report provides insight into the complex and varied ways kindergarten through eighth graders in the nation spend their time out of school. Some spend time with relative or a nonrelative in a home setting. Others spend time in center- or school-based programs or organized activities that are aimed toward their enrichment or enjoyment. Still…

This study considered how 25 highly diverse after-school programs with funding of $5.6 million were evaluated during a 10-month period. The paper describes the evaluation methodologies used and determined which methodologies were most effective within a diverse and political context. The Bayview Fund for Youth Development (name assumed for…

This paper analyzes the politics of a fund established to support the development of urban children and youth outside of traditional classrooms. It examines the fund's effectiveness in establishing after school programs that provide safety, opportunities to connect with adults, and engagement with communities and evaluates implications for urban…

The Stark Metropolitan Housing Authority in Canton, Ohio (Stark Metro), has established and implemented an after school education program for its residents. Although the various educating programs range from encouraging kindergarten reading readiness to promoting job skills for adults, the primary function of the program is to help elementary and…

What are the common tasks facing cities committed to saturating their city with high quality out-of-school opportunities, available to every young person? While no list is definitive or complete, we identify ten critical tasks. (Background and Contact information is appended. Contains 5 footnotes and 9 figures.)