Issue Briefs

Afterschool Providing Key Literacy Supports to English Language Learner Students (June 2017)

The Afterschool Alliance, in partnership with Dollar General Literacy Foundation, is proud to present this issue brief focusing on the integral supports afterschool programs provide to build English language learner (ELL) students’ literacy skills. In addition to this issue brief, which outlines the challenges facing ELL students and the opportunities participating in afterschool programs afford, six complementary in-depth afterschool program profiles highlight different roles programs play to engage ELL students:

• Columbus State Community College’s ESL Afterschool Communities: Providing comprehensive supports for both ELL students and their families
• La Prensa Libre de Simpson Street: Offering literacy-related activities that promote student motivation and interest
• Mighty Writers El Futuro Program: Providing a culturally sensitive atmosphere when helping develop ELL students’ literacy skills
• ourBRIDGE for KIDS: Engaging English language learners’ families to promote literacy skills
• Raider’s ARK (Academics Reinforcing Knowledge) After-School Program: Using a mix of learning approaches to build ELL students’ literacy skills
• The Bridge Project: Fostering community and school partnerships to ensure that ELL students receive the additional literacy supports that they need

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Afterschool Programs: Keeping Kids - and Communities - Safe (2007)

Rising violence among youth is a concern nationwide, with youth involvement in crime peaking in the afterschool hours from 3 to 6 pm. This brief examines the role afterschool programs play in decreasing crime by increasing student safety and supporting youth. The brief also highlights how some communities are using afterschool programs to to enhance juvenile delinquency prevention efforts.

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Afterschool Programs: Helping Kids Succeed in Rural America (2007)

In communities where infrastructure and resources are limited, afterschool programs may offer the only opportunity for academic, recreational, and creative enrichment. This brief explores how afterschool programs in several rural communities are successfully serving their children, families and communities with vital resources.

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Afterschool Programs: Helping Kids Compete in Tomorrow's Workforce (2007)

Preparing youth for success in tomorrow’s workforce is of increasing concern to our nation’s schools, communities, policymakers and businesses. This brief discusses the unique opportunities afterschool programs can offer students to prepare them for the workforce, including the development of important core competencies, such as interpersonal, critical thinking and leadership skills.

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Afterschool Programs: A Wise Public Investment (2005)

As budgets have grown tighter at all levels of government, afterschool advocates and practitioners have faced increased difficulty securing adequate funding. This brief discusses the social cost associated with not providing afterschool programs and outlines the many benefits of investing in afterschool, including the high returns on investments for governments and businesses alike.

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Afterschool Programs Strengthen Communities (2004)

As people work longer hours, endure longer commutes and manage busier schedules, they have less time to socialize or join community organizations. This means it has become increasingly difficult for individuals to get to know their neighbors and communities. This brief explores how afterschool programs can play an important role in strengthening communities by offering a safe and stable environment for youth and providing opportunity for school and community partnerships.

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Afterschool Programs Level the Playing Field for All Youth (2004)

This brief describes how afterschool programs have an opportunity to help disadvantaged youth catch up with their peers when the regular school day may not provide enough time or resources to address the various economic, language, or cultural barriers some students face.

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Afterschool Programs Help Working Families (2003)

Today, less than one-fourth of American families portray the "traditional" image of one parent at home while the other parent provides financial support. This makes accessible, affordable childcare more necessary than ever before. With work hours increasing and flexibility decreasing, the burden on parents, dangers for children and drain on employers is continuing to grow. This brief examines the ways in which working parents, their children, and employers can all benefit from quality afterschool programs.

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Afterschool Partnerships with Higher Education (2007)

Community partnerships are the cornerstone of some of the most successful afterschool programs. This brief describes the benefits higher education institutions can provide as partners to afterschool programs. College students can serve as mentors, tutors or youth workers, and faculty can provide assistance with evaluations or curriculum development—all of which can be beneficial to college students and institutions in return.

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Afterschool in the Time of COVID-19 – Wave 1 (July 2020)

In the first in a series of surveys that take the pulse of the afterschool field during the pandemic, it is clear that although afterschool programs remain a vital partner to help young people emerge from this crisis strong, resilient, and hopeful, they are in dire need of support. In a survey conducted by Edge Research on behalf of the Afterschool Alliance between May 28-June 30, 7 in 10 program providers report serving students in some capacity since the pandemic began, however, 84% of programs report that they are concerned that they will not be able to provide services in the fall.

• Afterschool in the Time of COVID-19 survey page

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