1. Leveraging the Afterschool Value Added Terry Peterson, Ph.D . Terry is the Director of the Afterschool And Community Learning Resource Network, funded by the Mott Foundation. He is also the University of South Carolina Educational Foundation Senior Fellow for Policies and Partnerships and educational consultant to the dean at the College of Charleston. He can be reached by calling 843.953.7403 or 803.238.4343, or by emailing him at tkpalexva@aol.com

5. There was tremendous growth in afterschool programs through the 1990s. Local, State, and Federal budget cuts have halted that growth.

6. Are we missing a prime opportunity to fill the after school hours with enriching activities and expanded learning opportunities?

7. Multiple Effects

9. Utilizing existing resources this way demonstrates to taxpayers that their investments are being used efficiently.

11. According to Anne Duncan, CEO of the Chicago Public Schools: “ For the first time ever, we have 8 th graders beating national norms…part of the reason-we think we did so much better is [that] last year we added about 50,000 students to our after-school programming. So [after-school] is a core, a core part of our educational strategy.”

12. Learning and Growth

14. California students who participated in afterschool programs for 7 or more months demonstrated improvements in math scores that were 2.5 times greater than found statewide. Attendance was also greatly improved as compared to the previous year.

15. “ High quality afterschool programs don’t just keep children away from trouble. In today’s educational world, where the expected level of achievement keeps rising, afterschool opportunities provide the extra time and help that many children need.” - Inez Tenenbaum, South Carolina State Superintendent of Education

16. One outlier : an examination of pre-NCLB 21 st Century Community Learning Centers programs. Results are likely related to the fact that pre-NCLB programs were not required to make academics priority.

17. A Resource Question

18. Federal funding increase for 21 st Century Community Learning Centers would be helpful. States could provide a boost by including afterschool funding in their state school finance formulas.

21. Some resources can be found within the district. By combining district and school programs that have a student and community focus allows for higher participation with lower per-student costs.

22. Afterschool programs can be part of a broader outreach effort to parents and other family members.

23. These efforts can build a critical mass that can lead to the employment of a full-time coordinator. By working with principals these coordinators can continue to build public support for both the afterschool programs and the school in general.

24. The cost of afterschool programs is significantly less expensive than the regular school day. Most of the operating cost and overhead is already paid for.

25. District Progress

26. The synergies to be found in afterschool programming are not limited to the financial side.

27. The afterschool environment can attract participation of other groups who are interested in helping children such as parents, senior citizens, volunteer and mentoring organizations.

28. Afterschool programs are useful tools for accomplishing multiple goals. Robust and comprehensive afterschool programs are an important way to leverage more student success and public support.