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Patterns of family life in the United States have changed dramatically during the past two decades. In more and more families with school-age children, both parents (or a single parent) participate in the work force. Increasing numbers of children in kindergarten through grade eight are unsupervised during nonschool hours -- often for four or more hours each day.
Several trends in U.S. society have influenced the need and demand for after-school programs for school-age children. These trends include not only the dramatic increases in the number of mothers in the labor force but also (a) increasing concerns about the physical, mental health and safety risks unsupervised children often experience and (b) the increase in alcohol and drug abuse and youth criminal behavior in the after-school hours.
There is a growing body of research demonstrating the value of formal and informal out-of--school learning experiences and social activities. During the past two decades, new after-school programs have begun to emerge across the nation. In addition to schools, such youth-serving agencies as Boys and Girls Clubs, the YMCA and YWCA, Cooperative Extension (through 4-H and urban initiatives), municipalities, parks and recreation departments, religious organizations, and private entities have increased their organized after-school programs.
During the past year, there have been several highly significant federal policy initiatives related to after-school care. The Clinton Administration's new 21st Century Community Learning Centers program was funded at the level of $40 million in the 1998 federal budget. Several bills have been introduced in Congress to create a long-term federal initiative providing after-school programs in communities across the Nation. These after-school programs would provide learning and recreational activities and would address health, nutritional, career, and other developmental needs of children and youth.
Keeping Schools Open as Community Learning Centers The 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program Fact Sheet on School-Age Care
School-Age Child Care Comes of Age
U.S. Senate Testimony on After School Care (Reflecting 1998 Budget Item)
After School Education and Safety Act of 1997 (S. 882) School-Age Child Care: Preventing Problem Behaviors and Raising Academic Performance
National Institute on Out-of-School Time
Youth Centers: Operation and Development Issues
Extending Learning Time for Disadvantaged Students
National Network for Child Care: School-Age Child Care
National Network for Child Care: Research and Public Policy
Children, Youth and Families Education and Research Network
National School-Age Care Alliance
National Network for Child Care
Children, Youth and Family Consortium
National Child Care Information Center
A Parent's Guide to Chid Care for School-Age children
ERIC Clearinghouse on Elementary and Early Education
Together We Can: A Guide for Crafting a Profamily System of Education and Human Services
Integrating Community Services for Young Children and Their Families Putting the Pieces Together: Comprehensive School-Linked Strategies for
Children and Families
Community Partnerships -- Education Week on the Web
Strong Families, Strong Schools: Building Community Partnerships for Learning
January 20, 1998 -- The Legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. -- Achieving Equality Within Diversity November 21, 1997 -- Fostering Literacy Throughout K-12 Education: Focus on Reading October 12, 1997 -- Net as a Resource for Helping Teachers in Their Classes Develop Homework Assignments September 25, 1997 -- Proposed National Tests in Reading and Mathematics August 18, 1997 -- Finding Lesson Plans on the Web July 10, 1997 -- Best Web Sites for K-12 Education April 16, 1997 -- Critical Thinking February 22, 1997 --The Internet and World Wide Web in K-12 Education December 19, 1996 --Multiple Intelligences Theory November 21, 1996 --Arts Education October 23, 1996 --Mathematics and Science Education September 18, 1996 --Principles of Motivation August 15, 1996 --Promoting Safe, Disciplined Schools July 16, 1996 --Addressing the Needs of Gifted and Talented Students. June 24, 1996 --Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) May 22, 1996 --Urban Schools and Disadvantaged Students May 1, 1996 --Educational Assessment Approaches April 17, 1996 --Diversity in The Nation's Classrooms April 3, 1996 --The 1996 National Education Summit: Education Standards March 22, 1996 --Reading and Writing Initiatives March 7, 1996 --Education, Motivation, and Life Success Feb. 21, 1996 --Technology and America's Schools Feb. 6, 1996 --Social Studies and Character Development
