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After-School Programs

The likelihood of youth exposure to drug use and other criminal behavior increases dramatically in the hours after school ends. RAND research has shown that the availability of quality after-school activities can reduce participation in and victimization as a result of illicit activities, and can boost academic performance.

Report
How to Establish and Sustain Effective Summer Learning Programs
High-quality summer learning programs improve the academic, social, and emotional outcomes of low-income students, but several components are needed to make a program successful. New guidance on best practices can help districts and their community partners implement and operate effective summer programs.
Nov 4, 2018
Journal Article
Cumulative and Differential Effects of Early Child Care and Middle Childhood Out-of-School Time on Adolescent Functioning
Effects associated with early childcare and middle childhood organized activities were examined in a sample of adolescents. Higher quality early childcare AND more epochs of organized activities were linked to higher academic achievement at age 15.
Sep 6, 2018
Periodical
RAND Review: July-August 2018
This issue spotlights RAND's Gun Policy in America initiative and RAND's evaluation of Housing for Health, a Los Angeles County program that has moved some of its most chronically homeless and vulnerable residents into permanent housing.
Jul 2, 2018
Infographic
Enriching Kids: The Benefits of Using Public Funds to Pay for Out-of-School (OST) Time Programs
This infographic provides an overview of the opportunity and attainment gaps between high-and low-income students and how public funding for after-school programs can help address these gaps.
May 31, 2018
Report
Out-of-School Time Programs Are Worthy of Public Investment
Children need safe places, caring adults, and enriching activities when not in school. Out-of-school time programs build human and cultural capital and develop kids' interests and skills. Public funding helps low-income youth have experiences that may provide lasting developmental benefits.
Oct 23, 2017
Report
Community Schools Take a Holistic Approach to Urban Education
The New York City Community Schools Initiative is a strategy to organize resources and share leadership so that academics, health and wellness, youth development, and family engagement are integrated into each school. An assessment of 118 schools finds that with support from partners, school improvement should continue.
Oct 11, 2017
News Release
Voluntary Summer Learning Programs for Elementary School Students Benefit Those with High Levels of Attendance
Elementary school students with high levels of attendance in voluntary summer learning programs led by urban districts experienced benefits in math and reading.
Sep 7, 2016
Infographic
Learning from Summer: Effects of Voluntary Summer Learning Programs on Low-Income Urban Youth
This infographic summarizes several student outcomes from an assessment of five voluntary, district-led summer learning programs offered at no cost to low-income, urban elementary students.
Sep 7, 2016
Research Brief
Kids Benefit from Voluntary Summer Learning Programs
Fourth graders who attended at least 20 days of summer learning programs benefited in mathematics and language arts achievement. When voluntary summer learning programs are effective, what factors are associated with success?
Sep 7, 2016
Report
Summer Learning Programs Benefit Low-Income Urban Students
Low-income students lose ground in the summer relative to their wealthier peers. High-quality voluntary summer learning programs can help disadvantaged students catch up and succeed in school, but consistent attendance is crucial.
Sep 7, 2016
Journal Article
Spreading the Word: A Process Evaluation of a Voluntary AOD Prevention Program
This paper summarizes efforts to evaluate process information for CHOICE, a voluntary after-school AOD prevention program for middle-school youth.
Apr 22, 2015
Research Brief
First Outcomes from the National Summer Learning Study
Five urban school districts are offering voluntary summer learning programs free of charge to struggling elementary students as part of a project to determine whether these kinds of programs improve low-income student outcomes.
Feb 13, 2015
News Release
Students Attending Summer Learning Programs Returned to School in the Fall with an Advantage in Math
Students who attended voluntary, school district-led summer learning programs in five urban areas began the academic year with stronger math skills than their peers who did not attend the programs.
Dec 16, 2014
Report
Students Who Attended Summer Learning Programs Gained an Advantage in Math
Summer learning loss disproportionately affects low-income students and therefore likely contributes to the achievement gap between these students and their higher-income peers. Students who attended voluntary, school district-led summer learning programs in five urban areas began the academic year with stronger math skills than their peers who did not attend.
Dec 16, 2014
Report
Early and School-Age Care in Santa Monica: Current System, Policy Options, and Recommendations: Executive Summary
In July 2012, the City of Santa Monica Human Services Division and the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District contracted with the RAND Corporation to conduct an assessment of child care programs in Santa Monica.
Apr 25, 2014
Report
Early and School-Age Care in Santa Monica
Researchers examine how well Santa Monica's child care programs meet the needs of families, including child care and early education programs before kindergarten, as well as care for school-aged children, both during the school year and the summer.
Apr 25, 2014
Blog
Early Planning Key to Effective Summer Learning Programs
RAND education experts Jennifer McCombs and Catherine Augustine hosted a news media conference call to discuss the best steps school districts can take to provide the most effective and rewarding summer learning programs.
Aug 14, 2013
News Release
Early Planning Is One of Several Steps Crucial to Successful Summer Learning Programs
The most important steps school districts can take to implement an effective summer learning program are to begin planning at least six months in advance and to include both district and summer site leaders in the process.
Aug 13, 2013
Research Brief
How to Get the Most out of a Summer Learning Program
Summer learning programs may help close the achievement gap between low- and higher-income children if done well, but they are sometimes an afterthought or not offered at all, especially when education budgets are tight. Starting the planning process early, hiring the right teachers, and other best practices can help ensure success.
Aug 12, 2013
Report
Los Angeles County Juvenile Justice Crime Prevention Act: Fiscal Year 2011-2012 Report
This annual report for the California Board of State and Community Corrections measures the success of Juvenile Justice Crime Prevention Act programs and initiatives for six state-mandated outcome measures and county-mandated supplemental measures.
Aug 12, 2013

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RAND Topic:
After-School Programs

Research conducted by

RAND Education and Labor

Researcher Spotlight

Andrea Phillips

Policy Researcher

Andrea (Andie) Phillips (she/her) is a policy researcher with expertise in education policy, policy analysis, program evaluation, single case design, and qualitative methods and analysis. Phillips’ work focuses on the development, implementation, and evaluation of interventions that promote…
Katie Tosh

Adjunct Policy Analyst

Katie Tosh (she/her) is a senior policy analyst at the RAND Corporation. Her research interests include the design, implementation, and evaluation of education and health programs and policies. She is particularly interested in quality improvement and systems change. She is skilled at planning…

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