Research and Resources

• The Harvard Family Research Project maintains a comprehensive database of out-of-school time evaluations on their website. The database allows users to search by various criteria, such as program type (after school, summer school, comprehensive services) and research design (experimental, quasi-experimental, non-experimental). The HFRP also develops resources for OST programs, including the following:
• Focus on Families! How to Build and Support Family-Centered Practices in After School
• Finding the Right Hook: Strategies for Attracting and Sustaining Participation in After-School Programs
• The Effectiveness of Out-Of-School-Time Strategies in Assisting Low-Achieving Students in Reading and Mathematics is an extensive research synthesis conducted by Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning (McREL).
• Literacy in Afterschool Programs is a comprehensive literature review focused on literacy programming in afterschool, developed by NWREL.
• The report, Critical Hours, summarizes research findings relating out-of-school time and positive youth development, especially in regard to learning (Miller, 2003). The report suggests that afterschool programs can make a difference for youth, including helping to build the prerequisites to learning, in terms of both academic achievement and long-term competence and success. Based on the research reviewed, the report suggests that youth benefit from consistent participation in high-quality afterschool programs and that these programs can increase engagement in learning, educational equity, and the key skills necessary for success in today's economy.
• The report, Promoting Positive Youth Development as a Support to Academic Achievement, by the National Institute on Out-of-School Time (NIOST) and Forum for Youth Investment addresses ways afterschool programs can support academic achievement through positive youth development programming (Hall, Yohalem, Tolman, & Wilson, 2002).
• All Work and No Play?, a report from Public Agenda and the Wallace Foundation, discusses what students and their parents want from OST programs.
• A Resource Guide for Planning and Operating After School Programs provides descriptions of resources to support after-school programs for school-aged children. The guide is organized into six areas that have been identified for successful program operation: Management, Communication, Programming, Integrating K-12 and Afterschool, CommunityBuilding/Collaboration, and Evaluation.
• The Afterschool Action Kit, developed by the Afterschool Alliance, gives advice on finding or starting a quality program, identifying program needs and what resources to tap for help.