Evaluator: VT Afterschool, Inc.

Evaluation Methods:

This study uses the APRs (Annual Progress Reports) that were filled out by all 21^st CCLC-funded program sites across the state that includes relevant data, where available (some data was not available due to the COVID-19 pandemic) and reflections on how their programs dealt with the outbreak of COVID-19. Evaluators then used this information to create this report, with one section dedicated to reporting out details related to the APR in previous and current years, and the second section focusing on changes from the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Evaluation Type: Non-experimental

Summary of Outcomes:

This study focused on Vermont’s main goal areas for its 21^st CCLC programs: access and equity are ensured for all students, all 21^st CCLC-funded programs are of high quality, all 21^st CCLC-funded programs have effective leaders, and all 21^st CCLC-funded programs are sustainable. A majority of the state-level evaluation targeted outcomes were met, but some were modified or not met due to the circumstances of the school year.

More than 70 percent of 21^st CCLC sites in Vermont had a rate of free and/or reduced-price lunch rate among attendees that either met or was greater than the school’s rate, and the rate of regular attendees who had Individual Education Plans (IEPs) was 20 percent, 5 percent higher than the state average (15 percent). In terms of attendance, across the state, 11,467 students enrolled in 21^st CCLC programming, and 4 in 10 of those students (40 percent) regularly attended programming (over 30 days of participation).

Programs also provided high-quality opportunities for students across Vermont. More than 3 in 4 program sites (77 percent) included a strategy besides homework help for students who needed help academically. For instance, one site implemented a Reading Buddies program where elementary school students read with high school volunteers. Additionally, 84 percent of sites offered at least 20 minutes of physical activity during programming

Regarding indicators developed to track if 21^st CCLC programs are being led by experienced leaders, the evaluation found that most programs were led by directors who had three or more years of experience (84 percent) and site coordinators with three or more years of experience (92 percent). Across the state, one-third of 21^st CCLC staff were licensed educators during the school year, and 32 percent of staff were licensed educators in the summer months. Additionally, 84 percent of program directors statewide participated in at least 25 hours of professional development or more.

The final Vermont goal area is around sustainability for 21^st CCLC programs. Almost all (98 percent of programs) of program directors/site coordinators have a meeting with their site’s principal at least once a month throughout the year. Additionally, 56 percent of program sites that have been open more than five years have at least five different sources of funding that are a part of their annual operating budget, and 76 percent work with at least two community partners who contribute either financially or in-kind resources to the 21^st CCLC program.

Following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in early March 2020, a majority of program tasks stepped up to provide for students and families in their communities. Programs conducted remote programming (68 percent), assistance with meal delivery to families, and provided in-person services for children of essential workers (36 percent).Examples of remote programming included book clubs, nature clubs, podcast/storytelling clubs, and virtual workouts.

Researchers shared a few growth areas for future work: continuing to have opportunities for site directors to connect and share ideas amid the COVID-19 pandemic, developing relationships with families and students, prioritizing professional development related to social and emotional wellbeing, and financial sustainability, in particular funding to help find and retain high-quality staff.