Out of school time program

The Tools section provides a list of resources and tools that your organization can use to strengthen OST programs in your community. It is divided into the same sections as this Toolkit, and it includes only the resources that act as tools, not all of the research reports and program examples included in the Additional Resources and United Way Examples pages.

Email your Out-of-School Time reports, publications, best practices, case studies, blog articles, videos, media mentions, etc. We will contact you if we are featuring your resource in the OST Toolkit. OK, got it Give me more info. Donate Take Action. The About page gives: Overview of the United Way's perspective on OST Summary of how to use the toolkit Link to the Learning Modules , which allow you to explore content provided in the Toolkit in a more interactive manner.

It provides insight into: Who to engage in OST efforts Ways to engage volunteers effectively Tips on effective ways to engage stakeholders United Way examples on engaging key people Additional resources on engagement. It discusses: How to make the case for OST How to use community-level data What tips are helpful for successful advocacy What other United Ways have done What additional resources are available.

Published September Afterschool bf37e-c5ddab51bb2e;Social and Emotional Learning cbc1f-f78aebf2-ac;Summer Learning ffe3-baac3-c9ff9a13;Expanded Learning 64efd17b-aaed4-b0ecddf. Page Content. Points of Interest. Parents, teachers and OST providers see extracurricular programs as providing a child-centered experience with a differentiated and highly valuable offering.

Yet parent responses suggest that participation in high-quality extracurricular opportunities is not equitably distributed. Parents see distinct yet reinforcing roles for home, school and extracurricular programs. Other Resources on this Topic. A RAND analysis finds that out-of-school-time programs are generally effective at producing the outcomes that would be expected by their content and design. Download Report. Published November , 23 pages. Afterschool bf37e-c5ddab51bb2e;Summer Learning ffe3-baac3-c9ff9a13;Social and Emotional Learning cbc1f-f78aebf2-ac Page Content.

Each kind tends to produce outcomes directly linked to its content. In addition, the authors found: Academic programs with sufficient dosage can measurably improve student outcomes. Including academics in out-of-school-time programs can demonstrably improve academic outcomes and does not necessarily reduce program attendance at the elementary school level. Program quality and intentionality — that is, deciding on what the program is trying to achieve and designing it accordingly — influence outcomes.

To develop social and emotional skills, programs need to have some element aimed at that goal. Youth need to attend programs regularly to benefit measurably. The study found that benefits such as providing new experiences, helping youth build social capital through new relationships, and closing the opportunity gap are understudied and underreported. Hunger and thirst can make it difficult for students to focus. A healthy school nutrition environment provides students with nutritious and appealing foods and beverages, consistent and accurate messages about good nutrition, and ways to learn and practice healthy eating throughout the time children spend on school grounds—including during OST.

Physical activity can improve concentration and memory. Coordination between school day and OST staff and administrators can help provide young people with consistent messaging and opportunities related to physical activity and nutrition while they are on school grounds. The health care needs of children with chronic illness, such as asthma and diabetes, can be complex—involving both daily management and preparing for potential emergencies.

Improved communication between school health services staff and after-school providers has the potential to support the needs of children with chronic health conditions. Researchers and public health professionals are looking to learn more from best practices to support the needs of young people with chronic conditions in OST settings. There are ways for school district staff and school wellness teams to enhance connections with OST staff. School districts can do the following:. School administrators can strengthen partnerships with OST programs to support student health and learning.

There are many different OST programs available on school grounds, including childcare, youth development, and special interest activities like robotics clubs, arts programs, or sports clubs. Different organizations can run these programs, including schools and school districts, local chapters of national organizations e.

Some programs run until the evening e. OST programs also vary in their staffing and leadership, available resources e.