Posts

New meta-analysis of after-school programs sheds light on moderators that affect reported youth outcomes

Christensen, K. M., Kremer, K. P., Poon, C. Y., & Rhodes, J. E. (2023). A meta‐analysis of the effects of after‐school programmes among youth with marginalized identities. Journal of Community & Applied Social Psychology. Summarized by Ellen Parry Luff Notes of Interest There is a growing consensus that after-school programs (ASPs) are a positive resource for […]

The importance of engagement for adolescents in afterschool programs

Sjogren, A. L., Zumbrunn, S., Broda, M., Bae, C. L., & Deutsch, N. L. (2022). Understanding afterschool engagement: Investigating developmental outcomes for adolescents. American Journal of Community Psychology, 69, 169– 182. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajcp.12554 Summarized by Charlotte Styron and Ariel Ervin Notes of Interest:  Evidence suggests that participating in high-quality after-school programs promotes positive youth development & academic outcomes. […]

Study shows that mentoring programs can help reduce juvenile offending and antisocial behavior.

Farrington, D. P., Gaffney, H., & White, H. (2022). Effectiveness of 12 types of interventions in reducing juvenile offending and antisocial behaviour. Canadian Journal of Criminology and Criminal Justice. https://doi.org/10.3138/cjccj.2022-0022 Summarized by Ariel Ervin Notes of Interest:  This paper reviews findings from systemic reviews to assess the efficiency of twelve intervention types in lowering anti-social and juvenile […]

In-and after-school programs aim to combat mental health effects that COVID-19 worsened

By Patrick Riley, Reprinted from Youth Today To emphasize her point, Charleston, S.C.-based educator Bridget Laird shared the story of a six-year-old boy whose frustrated first-grade teacher, short on patience, shouted at him and made him cry. It was the very first day he’d stepped inside an actual, physical classroom. She immediately ordered him to […]

Beyond academics: How after-school programs play an essential role on youth development & learning

Philp, K. (2022). More than homework help: The critical role of afterschool programs for youth learning and development. Theory Into Practice. https://doi.org/10.1080/00405841.2022.2107344 Summarized by Ariel Ervin Notes of Interest:  Despite the growing popularity of after-school programs (APS) in America, their impact and funding are still controversial. This journal article reviews findings about after-school programs to highlight […]

Lessons learned from after-school program responses to COVID-19 in Spain

Morata, T., López, P., Palasí, E., Hodges, J. C., & Calvo, R. (2022). After-school programmes response to the COVID-19 pandemic: Lessons learned from Barcelona, Spain. Child & Family Social Work. https://doi.org/10.1111/cfs.12925 Summarized by Ariel Ervin Notes of Interest:  ​​ The COVID-19 pandemic has had a detrimental impact on youths’ academics and psychosocial well-being, particularly those from low-income […]

What can we learn from historically marginalized youth’ experiences with after-school engagement?

Sjogren, A. L., & Melton, T. N. (2021). The complexities of student engagement for historically marginalized youth in an after-school program. Journal of Youth Development, 16(5), 105–121. https://doi.org/10.5195/jyd.2021.1068 Summarized by Ariel Ervin Notes of Interest: Although after-school programs are known for promoting positive youth outcomes, families from under-resourced backgrounds are less likely to have access to […]

What are youth perceptions of virtual after-school programming during COVID-19? New study has answers

Evans, C., Moore, R., Seitz, S., Jatta, I., Kuperminc, G. P., & Henrich, C. C. (2021). Youth perspectives on virtual after-school programming during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Youth Development, 16(5), 251–268. https://doi.org/10.5195/jyd.2021.1063 Summarized by Ariel Ervin Notes of Interest: The pandemic has disrupted various aspects of youths’ lives.  COVID-19 has forced after-school programs to think of […]

Re-Engaging Youth in Out-of-School Spaces

By Ashlee Sjogren, Reprinted from Youth-Nex Highlights: Engaging students in out-of-school spaces is critical to supporting the whole student. Peers, families, program content, and a fun environment all serve as sources of engagement that programs can optimize on. However, both interpersonal tensions and repetition of content can be reasons that middle school students decide not […]

COVID-19 Learning Gap: Opportunities for Educational Re-invention

By Kameryn Point, Reprinted from the American Youth Policy Forum While the COVID-19 pandemic has created significant learning gaps for students nationwide, youth impacted by systemic inequities were disproportionately affected, which exacerbated disparities that already existed within our education systems. Educators are now challenged to meet students where they are, while simultaneously addressing the learning […]