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New polling shows America is for afterschool

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New polling shows America is for afterschool

Just in time for Lights On Afterschool, the only national rally celebrating afterschool, a new national poll is out that shows strong public support for afterschool. Nearly 9 in 10 adults (89 percent) agree that afterschool programs are important to their community, with bipartisan and nationwide support for afterschool programs cutting across party lines as well as geographic regions. Among Democrats, 94 percent agree that afterschool is important to their community, and among Republicans, 86 percent agree. Support is highest in the West at 92 percent, followed by the Midwest and Northeast (90 percent), and the South (87 percent).  

Additionally, the poll reveals continued widespread support for public investment in the afterschool field, with 2 in 3 adults saying that they want their federal, state, and local leaders to provide funding for afterschool and summer learning programs. Public support for investment in afterschool becomes more evident when presented with the possibility of the elimination of funds for programs. The survey found that 7 in 10 adults are opposed to eliminating federal funds for afterschool programs, with more than half of adults in strong opposition (52 percent).

When asked about the effect an elected official’s support for public funding for afterschool and summer learning programs would have on their vote, 59 percent of adults say that they are more likely to vote for an individual who supported funding for afterschool and summer learning programs. Among parents, this number jumps 8 percentage points to 67 percent. 

The poll echoes findings from a National Recreation and Park Association survey released earlier this month. In it, 93 percent of Americans agreed that “increasing the availability of affordable out-of-school time programs at local parks, recreation centers and libraries to families of all income levels should be a goal of their local government.” From baby boomers to millennials, agreement that availability of out-of-school time programs should be a local government priority was above 90 percent (millennials- 97 percent, baby boomers- 92 percent).

As the Afterschool Alliance and more than 8,000 communities across the U.S. gear up to celebrate the 19th annual Lights On Afterschool, taking place this Thursday, Oct. 25, this poll affirms the important role that afterschool plays for children, families, and communities. If you are an afterschool or summer learning program, find easy tips on how to plan an event and highlight the poll findings in your media outreach. Interested in attending an event? We have a map to help you find a Lights On Afterschool event near you. We hope that you can join us, show off your support for afterschool in America, and shine a light on the afterschool programs in your community!

The poll, sponsored by the Afterschool Alliance and conducted in partnership with Lake Research Partners, The Tarrance Group, and Ipsos, was conducted in September 2018. To learn more, you can check out the fact sheet, topline questionnaire, and news release.

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BY: Sophie Kidd      02/02/24

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BY: Emily Murtaugh      01/04/24

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By Emily Murtaugh and Liana Shivers. In October, the Afterschool Alliance released a new report, “Investments in Student Recovery: A Review of School Districts’ Use of American Rescue Plan Funding to Support Afterschool and Summer Opportunities,” detailing how districts are...

BY: Guest Blogger      12/01/23

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Native Americans represent more than 570 tribes, 3.7 million people, and 644,000 students across the country. The America After 3PM for Native American Families fact sheet highlights how afterschool programs play an important role in Native American communities by providing comprehensive support...

BY: Liana Shivers      11/28/23

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BY: Sophie Kidd      10/16/23

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BY: Liana Shivers      08/04/23

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BY: Nikki Yamashiro      02/26/24

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BY: Sophie Kidd      11/07/23

New dashboard presents a retrospective of the Afterschool in the Time of COVID-19 survey series

Over the course of the last three years, thanks to the afterschool field’s generous nature and taking the time during an incredibly tumultuous period to respond to our surveys, the Afterschool Alliance has been able to track the changing landscape of the afterschool field. A recently released...

BY: Nikki Yamashiro      07/19/23

Survey finds that programs open this summer will reach the highest levels in three years

Thanks to the more than 1,100 program providers who responded to Afterschool Alliance’s spring survey to better understand the current state of the field, we are able to share some insights into what providers anticipate for this summer. This summer, program providers are much more certain...

BY: Nikki Yamashiro      07/14/23

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Photo courtesy of GENTS & GLAM As we look forward to National Summer Learning Week on July 10-14, we’re shining a light on the ways COVID-relief funds are supporting students while school is out for the summer. Thanks to these funds, kids have the opportunity to explore new activities,...

BY: Sophie Kidd      06/28/23

Fall afterschool provider survey results: A child care provider perspective

The recent Afterschool Provider Survey, published February 2023, included a universe of over 1,000 programs across the country. Of the 1,016 programs surveyed, just under 10 percent (92) identified themselves as “afterschool programs run by child care centers.” The data allow for...

BY: Jillian Luchner      05/08/23

300 ways pandemic relief funds are supporting afterschool and summer

We’re thrilled to share a new and improved interactive map showing examples of afterschool and summer programming supported by pandemic relief funds. From experiential learning camps in Vermont where youth learned how to use a compass and identify wild edibles; to STEM offerings in...

BY: Ursula Helminski      04/17/23

COVID-relief funds deep dive (part 1)

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BY: Guest Blogger      04/14/23

ARP funds are helping young people stay active

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BY: Sophie Kidd      11/16/23

Survey finds that programs open this summer will reach the highest levels in three years

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BY: Nikki Yamashiro      07/14/23

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BY: Sophie Kidd      07/03/23

Pandemic relief funds are supporting summer learning opportunities for youth

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BY: Sophie Kidd      06/28/23

New study examines how districts approached summer learning in 2021

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BY: Sophie Kidd      03/14/23

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BY: Sophie Kidd      11/10/22

More than half of superintendents say summer learning/enrichment programs will decrease or end after ARP funding runs out, according to new survey

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BY: Sophie Kidd      10/11/22

State summer learning findings: Partnerships, equity, and long-term funding solutions are top of mind

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BY: Nikki Yamashiro      06/02/22

Afterschool a priority for Asian American and Pacific Islander voters

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BY: Nikki Yamashiro      05/30/23

Women voters say that they want increased access to afterschool

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BY: Nikki Yamashiro      03/31/23

Listening to Black voters: Afterschool is essential

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BY: Charlotte Steinecke      03/13/23

Oklahoma afterschool program supports Native American youth

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BY: Sophie Kidd      02/13/23

The importance of culturally driven Native American mental health interventions

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New America After 3PM brief focuses on Native American youth and families

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BY: Sophie Kidd      01/12/23

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Survey finds that programs open this summer will reach the highest levels in three years

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BY: Nikki Yamashiro      07/14/23

Oklahoma afterschool program supports Native American youth

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BY: Sophie Kidd      02/13/23

New America After 3PM brief focuses on Native American youth and families

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BY: Sophie Kidd      01/12/23

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As Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month wraps up, the Afterschool Alliance is shining a light on Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) children in afterschool programs and the experiences of AANHPI parents as it relates to afterschool. Our America After 3PM...

BY: Nikki Yamashiro      05/31/22

America After 3PM 2020 Health and Wellness Report in images

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BY: Charlotte Steinecke      04/25/22

New America After 3PM special report: Promoting healthy futures

From STEM learning opportunities afterschool and during the summer to young people’s summertime experiences, the America After 3PM survey has provided a wealth of data on what the after school and summer hours look like for children and youth and parents’ expectations of and opinions on...

BY: Nikki Yamashiro      04/13/22