After-School Attendance, Program Quality, and Youth Outcomes in 21st-Century Community Learning Centers

• In Event: 34.079 - Roundtable Session 14
  In Roundtable Session: 34.079-8 - High-Quality Out-of-School-Time Programming and Youth Outcomes

Abstract

This research examined afterschool program quality and analyzed the relationships among several key factors of program quality, regularity of attendance at afterschool programming, and youth outcomes such as academic achievement and teacher ratings of student behavior and activity. Results of this research demonstrate that the quality of 21st CCLC programs in the study varies significantly. Results also show that factors of program quality and regularity of attendance do impact youth outcomes as does grade level of the youth participant. However, the results do not align with existing research in the field. These findings highlight significant program quality measurement issues. Limitations, significance, and future research are discussed.

Authors

• Hilary K Swank, Plymouth State University

• Eric Laflamme, Plymouth State University