Afterschool Alliance Research

A Mix of Highs and Lows for Afterschool Program Providers (March 2025)

This brief includes findings from a survey of 1,223 afterschool program providers conducted between October 29 and December 10, 2024. Based on survey results, afterschool program providers report areas of growth — serving as many or more students as they served before the pandemic and providing a wide range of supports for students and families. Still, many are grappling with challenges such as funding and staffing. This is the 11th survey wave in an ongoing tracking survey of the afterschool field.

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21st CCLC Facts and Figures (March 2025)

The 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) initiative is the only federal funding source dedicated exclusively to before-school, afterschool, and summer learning programs. This brief provides an updated overview of 21st CCLC programs, which serves more than 1.8 million students and families, highlighting the research demonstrating programs accelerate students' academic growth and success, activities and supports provided by programs, and the current state of funding for the initiative.

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Voters Say Afterschool Programs are a Necessity (February 2025)

A national poll of registered voters finds that public support for afterschool programs is at an all-time high. The fact sheet highlights findings from a poll conducted by Lake Research Partners and New Bridge Strategy, December 4-11, 2024, including 87% of voters agree that afterschool programs are an absolute necessity for communities, and 85% want their newly elected federal, state, and local leaders to provide more funding for afterschool programs. Support for afterschool programs is strong across demographic groups.

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Afterschool Programs Strengthen the Economy (January 2025)

This fact sheet illustrates the research demonstrating how afterschool programs empower families, save businesses money, and help young people become stronger learners, earners, and leaders -- making them a smart investment.

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How Afterschool Programs are Building School-Day Engagement and Improving Attendance (January 2025)

Chronic absenteeism is a widespread challenge impacting nearly every school district nationwide. However, it is not an issue that schools should tackle alone. This issue brief highlights the unique roles afterschool programs play in improving school-day attendance and strengthening students’ connection to school. By engaging students in hands-on learning experiences that can ignite new interests, connecting students with caring adults and mentors, and creating a space where student agency, voice, and choice are valued and encouraged, afterschool programs are a proven source of support in helping to solve the complex problem that is chronic absenteeism.

• Baton Rouge Youth Coalition (BRYC) and Reality Changers: Creating a culture of care by connecting students to supportive adults and mentors
• Jamestown Community Center and R.E.A.C.H. After School Program: Inspiring learning by engaging youth in hands-on activities
• Critical Exposure: Deepening students' school connectedness by amplifying youth voice

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The Latest Research on the Impact of Afterschool and Summer Programs (September 2024)

This brief includes findings from more than three dozen studies and reports highlighting outcomes associated with young people's participation in afterschool and summer programs, including increased engagement in school, reduced chronic absenteeism, improved academic performance, and a positive impact on students' mental well-being.

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Investments in Student Recovery: 5 Facts about High-Poverty School Districts’ Pandemic Relief Spending on Afterschool and Summer Programs (May 2024)

Following up on the report “Investments in Student Recovery: A Review of School Districts’ Use of American Rescue Plan Funding to Support Afterschool and Summer Opportunities,” this fact sheet examines high-poverty school districts’ spending of American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER) funds on afterschool and summer programming.

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This is Afterschool (May 2024)

This fact sheet includes data points on how afterschool programs are accelerating students' academic growth, supporting their well-being, and helping working families. Additionally, it highlights the overwhelming support afterschool programs have from voters across the political spectrum.

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21st CCLC Facts and Figures (May 2024)

The 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) initiative is the only federal funding source dedicated exclusively to before-school, afterschool, and summer learning programs. In addition to providing an updated overview of 21st CCLC programs, which currently serve more than 1.3 million students, this brief highlights the activities and supports provided by programs; the impact programs have on students’ school-day attendance, academics, and behavior; and addresses the current state of funding for the initiative. This brief also includes a callout feature on 21st CCLC programs increasing engagement in school and reducing chronic absenteeism.

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Afterschool Programs Support Learning Recovery But Struggle with Staffing and Program Costs (April 2024)

A survey of 1,116 afterschool program providers, conducted between October 31 and December 5, 2023, finds that afterschool programs are keeping young people connected, engaged, and inspired, but also continue to face challenges largely due to staffing and program costs. For programs that have been able to obtain federal pandemic relief funds, these funds have helped them keep their doors open, take steps to enhance staff recruitment and retention efforts, serve more students, and expand programming. However, as the end of this federal funding approaches, providers are very concerned about their future sustainability.

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