The Impact of Collaboration in After-school Programs on Student Achievement and Attendance

• In Event: Poster Session 18
  In Poster Session: Family, School, Community Partnerships SIG: Poster Session

Abstract

The purpose of this mixed methods study was to investigate the impact of collaborative school-community partnerships in After School Education and Safety (ASES) programs on attendance and academic achievement among school-age students in California (N = 20,083). Student level data was accessed via participating after-school programs’ Statewide Evaluation Reports, which are submitted to the California Department of Education annually. In addition to the archival portion, lead staff of school-community collaborative after-school programs were surveyed (N = 55) using the Degree of Collaboration Results adapted from Thomson, Perry, and Miller (2007). Interviews were also conducted (N = 6) to explore the benefits and barriers of collaborative partnerships in after-school programs. Results showed strong effects of collaboration in several analyses.

Authors

• Matilda Theresa Soria, California State University - Fresno

• Susan M. Tracz, California State University - Fresno