Serving Bilingual Elementary Students in a Small Urban Community: An Evaluation of a Literacy-Based After-School Program

• In Event: 29.015 - Pro Bono Education Research Service Projects (ERSPs): AERA's ERSP Initiative

Abstract

The primary purpose of the evaluation on the Student Opportunities for After-School Resources (SOAR) program was to provide evaluative feedback to all program stakeholders. The evaluation highlighted the need for a formal data collection process that will measure the reading ability of program participants pre- and post-program participation. Additionally, the evaluation found that the SOAR program provides a significant opportunity for program participants to develop a meaningful relationship between tutor and participant that would be absent if the program would not exist. As such, while the program is thought of as positively benefiting program participants, more data is needed to make this claim. As such, school administrators in collaboration with the evaluation team will be working to develop a data collection mechanism that will measure program impact. Ultimately, the next step in this collaboration will be to highlight the evidence that underscores the significance of this unique university-school partnership.

Authors

• Victor H. Perez, University of Illinois

• William T. Trent, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

• Patrick Smith, University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign

• Maria G Lang, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign