Out-of-School Programs

1. Out-of-School Programs Current Education News & Trends Nordyka Pulai SPED 4030 / 5030 Choice Online Module Assignment September 27, 2011

2. Introduction

3. Introduction • Out-of-School (or after school) programs are typically described as programs: “taking place immediately following school class and a program designed to care for and [provide] education enhancement for children” • Denver Public Schools’ Department of Extended Learning and Community Schools focuses on providing “DPS students a safe, enriching place to continue their studies, explore new skills, and make friends during out-of-school time” ("Denver Public Schools")

4. Introduction • Out-of-School programs can encapsulate a variety of activities, which may include: • Sports programs • Basketball, football, soccer, softball, swimming, etc. • Study Groups • Extra library time, programs for ELLs, study time with fellow students or teachers, etc. • Clubs • Chess club, Model UN club, Glee club, Gaming club, 4H, etc. • Classes not offered during the school day • Art (painting, pottery, etc.), Foreign Languages, Musical Instruments, etc.

5. Current Education News & Trends

6. Current Education News & Trends • Currently, there is overwhelming support from the educators as well as parents, students, communities, business leaders and legislators for after school programs • HOWEVER, funding for Out-of-School programs is often woefully small or non-existent • In the current economic climate, Out-of-School programs are often the first to be cut by school districts • The burden for providing Out-of-School opportunities often falls upon the shoulders of individual teachers and parents

7. Current Education News & Trends • According to a report on National Public Radio, in an interview with a high school principal and reporters from Education Week: • Cuts to before- and after-school programs are the first to be considered by school districts facing budget crises • There are more than 40 states facing budget shortfalls, and many newly elected officials pledging not to raise taxes, therefore education is being trimmed to the bare necessities (Conan, 2011)

8. Current Education News & Trends • In a White House blog “Closing the Achievement Gap with Arts Programs”, by Ramon Gonzalez, the author urges schools to transform into Arts Powered Schools • While not a formal program, these schools provide a focus on arts and education so that they can become “activist centers that use the arts to build a community of learners” • According to the blog, programs the interweave arts into the curriculum “closed the reading gap by nearly 15 points over a three year period” (Gonzalez, 2011)

9. Current Education News & Trends Impact of No Child Left Behind (NCLB) • Under the rules of No Child Left Behind (NCLB), many underperforming schools are citing Out-of-School programs as a component of their school improvement plans • “Researchers at the Midwest Regional Education Laboratory Program, supported by the federal Department of Education examined improvement plans from Title I schools in Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Ohio. They found 980 of them listed before-school, after-school, and summer programs as a means to improve school performance. Roughly 90 percent also listed increased parent involvement as a goal to help student achievement” (Fleming, 2011)

10. Current Education News & Trends In Colorado • According to the Colorado Department of Education: • “After school programs are a proven method of helping to improve a school's performance. Studies show that afterschool programs improve academic achievement, reduce grade retention and increase student attendance and interest in school. Across the country, afterschool is a key element in strategies to turn around under-performing schools. • Congress recognized the benefits of afterschool by mandating provision of extra learning opportunities in afterschool hours through the creation of the Title I Supplemental Educational Services program. • According to state departments of education, more than 7,000 schools in the United States are considered in need of improvement. Some characteristics of successful schools include high academic achievement, clear standards and evaluation processes, community involvement and students who are engaged in learning. After school programs offer a chance to reinforce and supplement the curriculum by offering new and different opportunities for learning that further engage students in school. Community involvement frequently is built in, as many afterschool programs are partners with community- and faith-based organizations.” ("Colorado Department of Education")

11. Current Education News & Trends In Colorado • In Colorado, 31% (251,728) of K-12 youth are responsible for taking care of themselves after school • Of all Colorado children not currently enrolled in afterschool, 40% (280,842) would be likely to participate IF an afterschool program were available in their community • 90% of parents in Colorado are satisfied with the afterschool program their child attends. • 13% (102,139) of Colorado's K-12 children participate in afterschool programs, including 9,928 kids in programs supported by the U.S. Department of Education's 21st Century Community Learning Centers initiative, the only federal program dedicated to afterschool ("Afterschool alliance," 2011)

12. Current Education News & Trends In the Denver Public School District The Department of Extended Learning and Community Schools • Mission Statement : The Department of Extended Learning and Community Schools facilitates the creation and implementation of school-based services during out-of-school time in partnership with the community • Vision: • The Department of Extended Learning and Community Schools will be the facilitator, advocate, resource and guide for out-of-school programming in the Denver Public Schools • Quality educational, enrichment, and child-care programming will be offered at every elementary and middle school • Every program will represent collaboration among parents, schools and community ("Denver Public Schools")

13. Current Education News & Trends At Denver Center for International Studies • At DCIS there are many opportunities for students to get involved in Out-of-School Programs • The support by teachers and administrators is strong and committed. • The PTO organization supports Out-of-School programs with funding if it is available • Students generally seem to want to be involved in something. In my observations, I see students having the chance to follow their interests

14. Current Education News & Trends At Denver Center for International Studies • Some examples of Out-of-School programs, clubs and activities at DCIS are: • Chess Club • 6th Grade Boys Reading Club • eXtreme (a Glee Club) • Model United Nations • Gaming Club • Lunch Club (for studying) • Destination Imagination • Student Council • for both Middle and High School students • Debate Club • After School Sports: • Softball • Soccer • Volleyball • Track Team • Baseball • Basketball • Americans Promoting Study Abroad • Fantasy Novel Enthusiasts Group • and many more . . . . .

15. Resources

16. Resources Afterschool Alliance www.afterschoolalliance.org “The Afterschool Alliance is working to ensure that all children have access to affordable, quality afterschool programs” • Vision: The Alliance works to ensure all youth have access to affordable, quality afterschool programs • Mission: To engage public will to increase public and private investment in quality afterschool initiatives at the national, state and local levels

17. Resources Colorado Afterschool Network www.coloradoafterschoolnetwork.org The “Colorado Afterschool Network (CAN) seeks to connect providers, policymakers and other stakeholders throughout Colorado into a force demonstrating that after school programs work and are a vital part of community life.” • Vision: A future where youth learn, contribute and thrive by participating in quality out-of-school opportunities within Colorado communities • Goals: • Build public will and foster public support around the importance of out-of-school learning opportunities • Develop policy and/or influence policy regarding the systems, support and resources related to out-of-school learning opportunities • Promote quality out-of-school time programs through opportunities for professional development

18. Resources City of Denver Mayor’s Office For Education and Children www.denvergov.org/educationandchildren “Denver’s promotion of quality after school and summer opportunities is a national model.  Its creation of funding streams, assessment of programs, and coordination of efforts is helping to ensure that programs across the city are of high quality, accessible, and sustainable.”  • Resources on the webpage include: • An After School Program Provider Directory (.pdf) • Professional Development resources and link • Lights On After School (LOAS): A Partnership with the Denver Public Schools Foundation and Mile High United Way

19. Resources Harvard Family Research Project www.hfrp.org/out-of-school-time “We believe that out-of-school time supports and opportunities are essential to healthy learning and development.  Therefore, our out-of-school time work strives to promote quality, accessibility, and sustainability of out-of-school time (OST) programs and activities across the nation. Our OST resources support the work of practitioners, policymakers, and researchers.”   • Resources on the webpage include: • A database and bibliography of research studies and evaluations of out-of-school time programs • Publications and Resources of their research-based tools • Information on current projects and research in progress

20. Local After School Programs

21. Local After School Programs

22. Personal Connections

23. Personal Connections I am strongly committed to the value and opportunities offered by Out-of-School programs • With my family: • My children participate in multiple extracurricular sports: soccer, tumbling, swimming, basketball and running club • Additionally, they participate in art and music classes through South Suburban • My first grader will soon be participating in an Intro to Spanish after school program

24. Personal Connections • In my community: • I am the team coach for two Destination Imagination teams: • A 7th/8th grade team from Cherry Hills Christian Middle School • A 1st grade Rising Stars team from Runyon Elementary • I am the team mom for both of my son’s soccer teams – coordinating snacks, planning the end of season party and trophies

25. Personal Connections • As an educator: • I will support any student who is involved in an extracurricular sport, club or activity • If a student needs extra assistance with studies and/or homework, I will make time to work with that student before, after or during school hours • I will advocate for programs and encourage students to participate • I will connect students to programs and activities that may inspire them and help them connect to the community

26. Works Cited

27. Works Cited Afterschool alliance. (2011, September 24). Retrieved from http://www.afterschoolalliance.org/index.cfm Colorado afterschool network. (2011, September 24). Retrieved from http://www.coloradoafterschoolnetwork.org/ Conan, N. (2011). What school district budget cuts mean for students [Radio series episode]. In Talk of the Nation. National Public Radio. "Dropout Prevention & Student Engagement." Colorado Department of Education. Web. 25 Sep 2011. <http://www.cde.state.co.us/DropoutPrevention/ bestpractices/TransitionPrograms-Resources.htm>. "Extended Learning and Community Schools." Denver Public Schools. Web. 25 Sep 2011. <http://dce.dpsk12.org/>. Fleming, N. (2011, April 26). Out-of-school time cited as strategy for school turnaround. Education Week, Retrieved from http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/beyond_schools/2011/04/ost_a_strategy_for_school_turnaround.html?qs=out+of+school+time Gonzalez, R. (2011, July 26). Closing the achievement gap with arts programming [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/07/26/closing-achievement-gap-arts-programming