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Afterschool Care

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.

Journal Article

Benefits of Extracurricular Activities for Children: A Focus on Social Inclusion and Children from Disadvantaged and Vulnerable Backgrounds

This research note summarises the existing evidence on the benefits of extracurricular activities, how they can be used to support social inclusion, and how access for disadvantaged children can be improved.

Jun 9, 2021
Report

Getting to Work on Summer Learning: Recommended Practices for Success, 2nd Ed. — Executive Summary

The authors distill lessons about implementing and improving summer learning programs gleaned from a six-year study in the five urban districts participating in the National Summer Learning Project.

Mar 25, 2021
Report

Every Summer Counts: A Longitudinal Analysis of Outcomes from the National Summer Learning Project

This seventh report in a series presents longitudinal findings on the effectiveness of voluntary summer learning programs in five school districts. The authors also offer implications for policy on narrowing the achievement gap between students.

Dec 17, 2020
Report

How to Support Social and Emotional Learning in School and Out of School

Do children benefit when schools and out-of-school time programs partner to improve and align social and emotional learning (SEL)? Lessons from six communities that made such efforts can help school districts and out-of-school time providers implement their own SEL programs.

Oct 20, 2020
Report

Early Lessons from Schools and Out-of-School Time Programs Implementing Social and Emotional Learning: Executive Summary

In this summary, RAND researchers describe the Partnerships for Social and Emotional Learning Initiative, as well as findings and early lessons from the first two years of implementation in the six participating communities.

Oct 20, 2020
Essay

The COVID Slide: How to Help Students Recover Learning Losses

Research shows that summer breaks contribute to income-based achievement and opportunity gaps for youth. How can we use what we know about summer learning to help kids in the age of COVID-19?

Jul 9, 2020
Commentary

What LAUSD Can Learn from the New York City Community Schools Initiative

A study of New York City's community schools found improved academic performance, higher attendance, and other positive outcomes for disadvantaged students. This model could benefit similar efforts underway in Los Angeles, where 80 percent of students live in poverty.

Jan 28, 2020
Report

Illustrating the Promise of Community Schools: An Assessment of the Impact of the New York City Community Schools Initiative

This report presents the impact of the New York Community Schools Initiative (NYC-CS) through the 2017--2018 school year by assessing the effects along seven outcome domains based on student- and school-level characteristics.

Jan 28, 2020
Research Brief

The Promise of Community Schools

The New York City Community Schools Initiative is based on a holistic strategy of education reform. Academics, health and wellness, youth development, and family engagement are integrated into each school. This approach had positive effects on most of the examined student outcomes.

Jan 28, 2020
Tool

Putting Data to Work for Young People: A Ten-Step Guide for Expanded Learning Intermediaries

This ten-step plan should help expanded learning nonprofits address challenges related to data collection and management and therefore make after-school and summer programs better and more accessible for students.

Oct 15, 2019
Blog

Military Spouses, Exercise Incentives, Libraries: RAND Weekly Recap

This weekly recap focuses on a scholarship program for military spouses, a wellness program that uses the Apple Watch, how libraries can improve public health, and more.

Nov 30, 2018
Commentary

High-Quality Out-of-School-Time Programs Are Worthy of Investment

High-quality out-of-school-time programs can benefit youth, and tend to produce outcomes linked to program content. Funders and policymakers could maximize benefits of these programs by providing adequate resources and funding to support quality programming. It could be a wise investment for America's youth.

Nov 19, 2018
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

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RAND Topic:
After-School Programs

Research conducted by

RAND Education and Labor