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A statewide evaluation of Connecticut’s 21st Century Community Learning Center (21st CCLC) programs during the 2015-16 program year found that, according to site coordinator surveys, students attending a program for at least 30 days (regular attendees) experienced high levels of program engagement. Regular program participants also showed high rates of regular school day attendance (94.6 percent) and low rates of disciplinary infractions (10.8 percent).
A statewide evaluation of Nevada’s 21st Century Community Learning Center (21st CCLC) programs—based on student grades and teacher surveys—demonstrates improvements in academic performance and behavior among regular program participants (attending 30 days or more). Approximately 3 out of 4 regularly attending students with room for improvement improved their overall academic performance (76.5 percent), while a strong majority of students with room for improvement made behavioral gains in areas such as classroom participation (72.8 percent), completing homework to the teacher’s satisfaction (69.1 percent), motivation to learn at school (68.4 percent), and classroom attentiveness (67.9 percent). Students and parents also expressed high satisfaction with 21st CCLC programs.
A statewide evaluation of New Jersey’s 21st Century Community Learning Center (21st CCLC) programs during the 2015-16 school year found statistically significant positive impacts in math achievement and reduced school day truancy incidents and grade retention among students who regularly participated in the programs. Program staff also reported positive perceptions of the ability of 21st CCLC programming to connect with the school day, as well as promote youth engagement and decision-making.
Science Club is a partnership between Northwestern University and the Boys & Girls Club of Chicago, utilizing long-term mentoring relationships to engage low-income urban youth in science. In this selection of evaluation data from the 2013-2014 school year, participants demonstrated gains along three major categories of youth outcomes—interest in STEM, capacity to engage in STEM, and finding value in STEM.
A statewide evaluation of Texas’ 21st Century Community Learning Center (21st CCLC) programs assessing operations, participation, and student achievement, as well as the relationship between each. Data was collected using student and staff surveys, program observations, and testing results. This evaluation found that students regularly participating in Texas 21st CCLC programs saw gains in their math performance, learning behavior, and persistence, as well as reductions in their school day absences and frequency of disciplinary incidents.
STEM 3D: Integrating Science Afterschool, a project of The Franklin Institute, engages underserved youth and families in year-round STEM learning and career awareness through a combination of afterschool, home and community activities. In this selection of evaluation data from the 2014-2015 school year, participants demonstrated gains along three major categories of youth outcomes—interest in STEM, capacity to engage in STEM, and finding value in STEM.
A randomized controlled study following 5,000 low-income, predominantly African-American and Hispanic students from third to seventh grade in five urban school districts located in Boston, MA; Dallas, TX; Duval County, FL; Pittsburgh, PA and Rochester, NY, assessing the impacts of no-cost, voluntary summer learning programs on academic performance and social and emotional skills. Students who had high attendance in the summer programming saw significant near term benefits (gains in the fall after the summer program) and long-term benefits (gains seen through the following spring after the summer program) in math after summer programming in 2013 and 2014, near and long-term benefits in language arts after summer 2014, and positive benefits to their social and emotional skills after summer 2014.
School’s Out New York City (SONYC) is New York City’s city-wide afterschool program for middle school students, developed as part of Mayor Bill de Blasio’s campaign commitment to expand afterschool opportunities in 2014. According to surveys, program and school staff report improvements in youth social and emotional development and leadership skills. Families reported high levels of satisfaction with their program, with 97 percent saying they would recommend it to other families.
An evaluation of 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) programs in Pennsylvania using federally reported 21APR data (where APR stands for “Annual Performance Report” and the 21APR system collects information on 21st CCLC grantees and centers) and PA Grantee Reports to examine attendance and behavior; academic achievement in reading, math, and credit completion; and student and parent program satisfaction. The evaluation found that among students who regularly attended the program, 44 percent improved their reading grade from fall to spring and 43 percent improved their math grade from fall to spring. Based on teacher reports, 47 percent of regular program attendees improved their in-school behavior, and 56 percent of attendees improved homework outcomes. Overall, parents and students were both overwhelming “very satisfied” with their, or their child’s, experience in the program.
A statewide evaluation of 21st CCLC programs in Arkansas examining student achievement and social emotional skills and parents’ satisfaction with the program. The evaluation used student, parent, and staff surveys, as well as annual performance reports and found that programs provided an environment where students felt that they were supported academically and were able to develop positive social and emotional skills and good work habits. Similarly, parent satisfaction with Arkansas’ 21st CCLC programs was high. Parents felt as though their children were safe when they were at the program and felt that their child’s participation in the program encouraged better communication with the schools. Program staff felt as though they related content of the program to school-day academics and that they had effective communication between supervising staff directing student youth workers. Overall, staff at Arkansas 21st CCLC programs came to the program with sufficient training, were trained sufficiently upon start at programs, and stayed at the program for a reasonable time.
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The Afterschool Impacts Database is a project of the Afterschool Alliance.
The Afterschool Alliance is a nonprofit public awareness and advocacy organization working to ensure that all children and youth have access to quality afterschool programs.
Afterschool Impacts Database