Why Are After-school Programs Important?
- As many as 17 million “latchkey children” are home alone after school
- Juvenile crime triples from 3-8pm and peaks from 3-4pm
- More than 28 million school-age children have parents who work outside the home
- Children who regularly attend quality programs have
-better grades and conduct in school
-better peer relations and emotional adjustment
-more academic and enrichment opportunities
- Students who spend 1-4 hours per week in extracurricular activities are 49% less likely to use drugs and 37% less likely to become teen parents
Why After-school?
Quality After-school Programs
- Keep Kids Safe
- Help Working Families
- Improve Academic Achievement
After-school Makes a Difference in West Virginia
- Participating in class
- Turning in homework
- Behaving in class
- Attending class regularly
- Increase scores in math and language arts
After-school Programs
- Develop children’s interests in the arts, music, drama, community service, and technology
- Support academic achievement-keeping kids on track
- Build higher aspirations for the future including completing high school and going to college
Need or Demand for After-school Programs In West Virginia
- More than 27% of the K-12 youth in self-care would be likely to participate in an after-school program if one were available in the community
- Similarly, 23% of all children not in after-school would be likely to participate in an after-school program if one was available in the community, regardless of their current care arrangement
- Only 6% of West Virginia’s K-12 youth participate in after-school programs other arrangements include traditional child care centers (11%), sibling care (6%), and non-parental adult care, such as grandparent or neighbor (14%).
America Agrees-Nine of ten American voters believe after-school programs are a necessity for all children
What is 21st CCLC? (21st Century Community Learning Center)
- A quality accessible after-school, weekend, or summer program for children, youth, and their families
- Located in a school and operated in partnership with community groups
- Offers activities including enrichment in core academics (reading, math, and science), homework help, tutoring, college prep, technology training, recreation, the arts, drug and prevention counseling
In 2002…
- $1 billion in federal funds nationally for 21st CCLC grants
- 21st CCLC grants at work in 2,200 communities
- 7,700 schools participating
- 2.5 million children and 750,000 adults served
Our 21st Century Community Learning Center Program:
- Our Mission-“Schools and Communities working together to expand learning for everyone beyond the school day.”
- Our partnerships include
- Our staff includes, teachers, support staff, parents, community members, and students
- We recruit volunteers through local news sources
High Quality After-school Programs Include:
- Quality staffing
- Goal setting and strong management
- Attention to safety, health and nutrition issues
- Appropriate environments; enough space and materials
- Strong family involvement
Program Components:
- Effective partnerships with other community organizations and individuals
- Coordinated learning with regular school day
- Links between school-day teachers and after-school staff
- Program evaluation
- Activity choices to accommodate diversity
- A plan for sustaining our work
What We Do:
Tutoring Music Academic Enrichment
Community Service Service Learning Heritage and Appalachian Culture
Mentoring Recreation Life Skills
Health and Wellness Programs Field Trips Literacy
Homework Help Drama Visual Arts
Who We Serve:
- All students attending West Virginia Schools are eligible to participate
- Parents of students at each school may also participate
The Difference We Make-
- Reduced absenteeism
- Better attitudes about school
- Reduced discipline referrals
- Increased academic success
- Reduced Juvinile crime and violence
- Better community citizens
