After-school programs: an investment that pays off: after-school programs can be an exceptionally cost-effective approach to supporting school district goals, such as improving student achievement and building vital community partnerships

Leadership, March-April, 2003 by Andria J. Fletcher, Wayne Padover

In less than five years, California has clearly demonstrated its leadership role in funding after-school programs in low-income communities. The state's Before and After School Learning and Safe Neighborhoods Partnerships Programs has increased support from $3.6 million to $131 million. Combined with Federal 21st Century Community Learning Centers funding of $220 million, these investments fund programs for more than 250,000 children. With the success of a statewide ballot initiative last November, the number of participating children is likely to increase to nearly 750,000 by 2005.

As documented by the University of California, Irvine, these programs are making a difference--especially in improving student academic performance, and they are an exceptionally cost-effective approach to supporting school district goals. Students in the lowest quartile have increased their reading and math test scores by more than twice that of their peers not enrolled in after-school programs. Attendance during the school day has increased by an average of 17 days a year and grade retention has significantly declined, resulting in an estimated cost savings of $13 million.

In an era of school reform and high stake demands for improvement in API scores, the reinforcement of learning that occurs in quality after-school programs can and does make a real difference.

Although there are variations that reflect local needs and interests, these programs share a common purpose:

1. Providing a safe, positive environment for children and youth during the hours they are most at risk;

2. Raising student academic performance and strengthening social skills; and

3. Building community partnerships that strengthen program quality and improve prospects for sustainability.

Elementary school students attend three hours a day, five days a week. Those in middle schools attend at least three days a week. Programs are offered flee of charge for all students attending schools with at least 50 percent free and reduced lunch populations.

California's approach is unique and offers an exceptional opportunity to secure a long-term funding source. Funding through Before and After School Learning and Safe Neighborhoods Partnerships Programs is ongoing, subject to the demonstration of positive outcomes in student academic performance, improved social behavior and attendance during the school day.

Benefits to districts, communities

The benefits to schools are very real. Fifteen hours a week of additional support provided through homework assistance and an environment that reinforces learning and accelerates the acquisition of language arts and math skills results in increased achievement. Authentic partnerships between schools and after-school programs product solid results. When after-school strategies are aligned with the school day and activities are fun and engaging, student achievement can be two to three times greater than the statewide evaluation figures indicate.

The long-term goal of strengthening the ability of young people to build the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in adolescence and early adulthood is critically important to community stakeholders. City and county governments, community foundations and local businesses have a vested interest in what is broadly termed youth development.

The real value of after school programs lies in their potential for providing supports and opportunities for children and young people to strengthen all of their skills and competencies. This is one reason why a broad range of local stakeholders, including an increasing number of school districts and individual schools, are finding them an increasingly important investment opportunity. Another is that they are extremely cost-effective. Most high quality programs cost between $1,000 and $1,500 per student per academic year, or just $2.65 an hour.

Balanced and diversified funding

Whether after-school programs will produce long-term changes ultimately depends on the extent to which local stakeholders take a proactive approach in ensuring that they are adequately funded and sustainable over time. While many communities rely heavily on state and federal funding to support after-school programs, those experiencing the greatest success understand that sustainability is primarily a local responsibility and opportunity.

Communities that build a solid local funding base and receive state and/or federal funds are well positioned for long-term success. Moreover, the typical return on their investments exceeds the cost of doing business in other ways by as much as 1,000 percent.

Innovative approaches are being used throughout the state. Sacramento, Pasadena and Los Angeles have developed balanced, diversified funding that includes all primary public and private stakeholders--the city, county, school district(s), private foundations and corporations. School district funding is provided in about 30 percent of all Before and After School Learning and Safe Neighborhoods Partnerships Programs.