Developing an Evaluation Framework for Professional Development of After-School/Youth Development Educators in Out-of-School Time

• In Event: The Out-of-School-Time Sector: Alternative and Expanded Conceptualizations to Design, Analysis, and Evaluation

Abstract

Much research in the out-of-school time (OST) space reasonably focuses on student outcomes. However, insufficient attention is given to the ways in which we train youth development educators (“OST educators”) who provide such valuable and varied programming in OST. To address this gap, ExpandED Schools, a NYC-based OST intermediary, adapted an evidence-based framework for evaluating effectiveness of adult professional development (PD) to fit the types of trainings and purposes of PD opportunities offered for OST educators. Additionally, we developed an OST Survey Question Bank to align with the different levels of evaluation. This work can offer a foundation for other OST providers to use in evaluating their PD offerings, leading to higher quality PD and ultimately, improved youth outcomes.

Authors

• Elaine Mensa-Wilmot, ExpandED Schools

• Taejha Richardson, ExpandED Schools

• Isabella Fante, Maryland State Department of Education