See Ya After School

NEA Today, Mar 2004

You probably had figured it out yourself, but now comes research that confirms it: After-school and summer programs do boost student achievement in math and reading-in some cases, significantly.

That's according to a new analysis by Colorado-based McREL Research. McREL evaluated 56 studies conducted since 1984 on the impact of out-of-school programs. Researchers found that overall these programs account for a four-point increase in elementary and secondary school test scores.

The programs are most effective with low-achieving and at-risk students, boosting reading scores among kindergarten, first-, and second-grade students by 10 points and among high school students by 17 points. One-on-one reading tutoring programs are the most effective, according to the report, and can increase student test scores by 19 points.

Sounds like a good reason to stay after class.