This paper provides an overview of the Voyager Expanded Learning programs. Initially begun with hands-on, activity-based learning experiences centered around academic themes designed to pique children's interest and motivate them to learn, Voyager has expanded from elementary after- and summer-school programs to include K-8 programs designed for…

This handbook provides guidance for California educators to help them implement a standards-based education for young adolescents. The book contains helpful information for school personnel about what they need to know and do to make standards-based education a success. It examines such issues as school culture, classroom organization,…

Afterschool programs are increasingly viewed as one viable way of bridging the gap between the end of the school day and the time parents get home from work. This digest briefly discusses why afterschool programs are needed, what potential benefits may be, what challenges may affect the viability of programs, what factors are identified with…

As Boston and other cities across the nation enter a second decade of education reform, the attention of school and community leaders, as well as of parents, is turning to the learning potential provided by after-school hours. This paper explores the potential role of project-based and experiential learning in transforming the learning…

Although support for using portfolios in student assessment is widespread, few educators agree on what portfolios are and what their purposes should be. This book details a step-by-step process to help preschool and elementary educators get started in the use of portfolios for student assessment or gain new insights or strategies in their use.…

Noting the increasing use of out of school care (school-age care outside of normal school hours) in Scotland, this report reviews research on : care-focused provision and study support. Considered in the review were 33 reports referring to work in the United Kingdom, 3 referring to Scandinavian practice, and 1 report on U.S. research. The report…

Primary support programs may be identified as programs, places, and activities beyond schools that are available to and appropriate for all children and their families and that supplement the family's own capacity to promote its children's safe and healthy development. This report examines 77 quality youth-serving programs that provide some…

Harvard Family Research Project's (HFRP) Issues and Opportunities in Out-of-School Time Evaluation briefs highlight current research and evaluation work in the out-of-school time field. These documents draw on HFRP's research work in out-of-school time in order to provide practitioners, funders, evaluators, and policymakers with information to…

Describes an after-school program which provides academic remediation, socialization, recreation, group therapy, meal preparation and field trips for boys 10-17 with behavior problems. A summer day camp provides prevocational activities. The program's effectivness is characterized by high attendance and testimonials from parents and teachers. (JAC)

Four models of crime prevention are discussed that arise from differing views of the causes of crime: criminal justice, situational, developmental, and social development models. Two activity-based youth crime prevention projects in Queensland (Australia) use developmental and social development models and expand local youth service…

Examined whether participating in the North Carolina Quality Enhancement Initiative improved the quality of 26 participating school-age child care programs. Found a significant increase in the quality of child care environments and teacher-child interaction over the 9-month period. State license and smaller group size related to higher quality…

Seeking an afterschool program to help some fourth through sixth graders with reading, writing, and analysis, an Ohio elementary school formed a partnership with John Carol University, in Cleveland. Tutors were future teachers enrolled in a Reading-and-Writing-Across-the-Curriculum course; tutees were 25 children who needed either remedial work or…

Evaluates the preventive effect of an after-school culturally-based arts program with low-income urban children. The specific objective of this study was to evaluate the changes in adaptive functioning and in problem behaviors for program participants. Main findings indicated that the participating children experienced an increase in self-esteem,…

Discusses a science enrichment program, Saturday Science QUEST, and provides course descriptions, preservice teacher experiences, program maintenance, and feedback from children and parents (Author/MKR)