After-School Program - Multiple Benefits

Nora Fleming
After-School Program Offers Enrichment to PupilsEducation Week
March 8, 2011
Complete URL: http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2011/03/09/23afterschool_ep.h30.html?tkn=WRQF0F7TwFYYqhRWJvJe%2BimvBrZyDqt5RM3j&cmp=clp-edweek

What options do kids have after school? Many kids go home alone – latchkey kids. But for 128,000 students in California there is LA’s BEST. LA’s BEST offers after school programs for low-income families. This program is not simply childcare. They offer “homework help, academic enrichment, and recreation with a snack.”

LA’s BEST has a proven track record. There are several longitudinal studies from CRESST that have shown - long term positive effects on participants. Attendance rates, academic performance, and self esteem have all benefited. Additionally the research shows: “children who attend the program are less likely to drop out of high school or to engage in criminal activities later in life.” With all these benefits and research backing, it is shocking that this program and others like it are suffering budget cuts.

The intended audience for this article is anyone concerned with the future of our students. This article is relevant on so many levels. First and most obvious to me is the fact that there is a research proven program that improves academic performance, attendance, and self esteem. Secondly, this program has a very impressive future benefit – students are less likely to drop out or engage in criminal activity. With the current national debt what it is – this program seems to be cost effective in the long run. Instead of spending millions to implement new academic interventions or incarcerate criminals – we could spend less now with preventative measures such as LA’s BEST.