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The Edutopia Poll
by Sara Bernard
A survey of 1,200 students released July 27 by the nonprofit youth organization Junior Achievement Worldwide reports that an overwhelming majority of students participating in after-school activities are doing so on school grounds. Though after-school programs are generally praised for keeping kids involved in healthy activities while parents are at work, opinions differ as to how students should be occupied during on-campus, after-school time.
Some policy makers, like those backing the Massachusetts Department of Education's Expanded Learning Time Initiative, suggest that what schools need is an extended school day, where after-school programs can help students hone their academic skills or participate in hands-on learning activities. Others contend that a longer day spent learning may cause academic burnout (and require significant funding) and that extracurricular or unstructured after-school programs are more beneficial to students. How should students' after-school hours be filled? We're interested in your opinion.
At my school, we do offer
Submitted by Corrine (not verified) on January 27, 2008 - 12:12.
At my school, we do offer afterschool tutoring. Our first priority is to offer these services to students who need the extra help. Then open it up to students who would like the extra help. We have two programs. One is using the Destination Math and Reading program (this is a web based computer program that students can work on at school or at home) for students who need extra practice in their skills. The other is a type of study hall where they have a faculty member to help them with their homework.
I believe we have been doing this for a couple of years now, but I am uncertain of how long it will last. It does dip into our financial planning, and so far each year the amount of money we receive is decreasing.
It is important to remember
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on October 24, 2007 - 11:24.
It is important to remember the finacial ramifications for a program like this too. Are they going to be willing to pay staff more for their time spent?
Afterschool time can be
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on June 18, 2007 - 18:08.
Afterschool time can be structured so that students are engaged in learning but it needs to be very different from the regular pencil pushing, computer remediation programs, and teacher lectures of the regular school day. there are many other things that can be done with students which brings learning in the back door (teaching without their knowledge) A cooking class can very well use math skills, reading skills, measuring, social rules and various other general knowledge ideals that children need. this also gives an adult mentor a chance to talk candidly and casually with students discussing issues of the day or group problems in an unstressful casual atmosphere which gets more results than a formal setting.
Valuable Time, Valuable Opportunities
Submitted by Literacy Specialist, After School Programs (not verified) on June 14, 2007 - 11:56.
After-school programming provides opportunities beyond the school day. Instead of playing video games all afternoon, students "may" find out that reading is fun, reading opens doors and windows into life.
Just maybe, with the currently strict adherence to standards-based teaching within the classrooms, after-school opportunities could possibly put some of the fun back into the experience of reading.
When we inspire and develop increased literacy in children, we give them the gift of a fee-time activity that is "free", only requiring their time and attention. Each time we "hook" a reader, we succeed in giving a timeless gift of "habit" to a child.
So let's do that, in whatever way we can. After all, it doesn't matter when or where or how, we all hopefully share the same page on what we want for children.
We use a model for
Submitted by Ryan Collay (not verified) on November 8, 2006 - 23:58.
We use a model for afterschool enrichment that does both. The point is not to provide more instructional time but to provide that opportunity that makes the other school time more effective. The enrichment model could, for example, provide time to apply math skills in a more contexual setting. It's the best of both worlds. This also allows students who can succeed in different settings.
Longer school days or school
Submitted by James Hogue (not verified) on August 7, 2006 - 20:18.
Longer school days or school years are not a solution to lack of learning. If our schools are not being effecive now what makes us think that simply adding more time doing the same things is going to be an improvement.
After school should be an opportunity for students and teacers to explore different and exciting material -- not same old - same old.
Yes, I think that
Submitted by April B (not verified) on August 6, 2006 - 03:59.
Yes, I think that afterschool programs can be a very good thing. Too many of our students go home to little or no support. However I do believe it needs to be hands on, fun and not as structured as school. Active learning, the arts and movement must be a part of any good program afterschool. A love of learning, and finding the school a fun and supportive place to be will enhance students' academic scores and progress.
Our middle school
Submitted by Beverly Shaner (not verified) on August 4, 2006 - 12:29.
Our middle school participated in a federal grant with a community learning center where we did afterschool programs. We had structured "learning" and play time. There MUST be some structure to keep order and insure that the students do learn, learning can be through games, computer work, etc.
When our grant ran out, the school modeled their ESS program after our CLC program and the students are gaining much more because of the structure and fun involved. Kids are wanting to stay after to get help and move ahead. We hire students from the high school to work with the middle school students as tutors/mentors, thus creating a bond where the middle school students aren't as afraid of attending the high school.
I firmly believe that afterschool programs ARE needed, if the schools don't have the kids SOMEONE will. If schools don't want to deal with gangs, drugs, etc. then why not have programs or connections to organizations that offer the programs that will attract the kids and not leave them to mix with the wrong crowd. Kids have too much time on their hands with no supervision, schools are there, why not us them in a different manner that will help in more than one way! The mind set needs to be changed in EVERYONE, the responsibilities the schools take on are more than just education and they are being held accountable in ways that they should not. However, by opening school doors, you can change your community and work together as a team that can create profound results! There are plenty of cities/towns that prove this! It must be a team effort where parents and schools work together. I am reminded of a training I attended and a book that was recommended, maybe we all need to read it - "Building Communities From the Inside Out". The community has to realize there is a problem and want to change in order for change to occur, change will not occur when someone comes in and says here is the problem and solution, this will fix everything! When the money runs out, it will go back to the same old way because the community didn't "buy into" the problem. Remember education is the key!!!
The wording of the two poll
Submitted by Nancy J. Carr (not verified) on August 3, 2006 - 17:45.
The wording of the two poll questions regarding after school - yes or no:
If the afterschool was an extension of the school day, with same requirements, meaning credentialed teachers, following state standards, assessment formative and summative that would then "extend the school day" and I would be for that...with credit on the student's transcript.
If the after school program was an enrichment of what is taught in the school day, with the expansion of requirements, using credentialed teachers, assessment formative and summative, that too would then "extend the school" and I would be for that...with credit on the student's transcript.
I support aligning programs with school instruction and after school programs. If after school programs are not done as noted in the two options above then do not call them "education" and don't mislead the students that the program will count for college....this is an all too common happening.
After school programs can be
Submitted by Lana Van Beek (not verified) on August 3, 2006 - 13:56.
After school programs can be tailored for more individualized needs of the students. Parents could be assessed fees for individualized help for the students to help offset costs. But the most important factor in all of this is "does the student want to learn the information." Many times students are forced to come to the after school programs but have no ambition or interest therefore there are no gains.
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