Afterschool Research: Evaluation and Data

The research is in: afterschool works 

A growing body of research shows that afterschool programs are helping kids to learn, grow and thrive.

Long-term evaluations, meta-analyses, state-level program studies, individual program assessments—over the course of the past 15 years, the research demonstrating the positive impacts of quality afterschool programs have on students has continued to grow. This section offers a compilation of recent afterschool research, including figures on the number of children participating in afterschool.

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21st CCLC Facts and Figures (2017)

The 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) initiative is the only federal funding source dedicated exclusively to before-school, afterschool and summer learning programs. This fact sheet provides an overview of the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program, highlights its outcomes and benefits, and addresses the current state of funding.

21st CCLC Budget Congress State Policy

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21st CCLC Facts and Figures (2018)

The 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) initiative is the only federal funding source dedicated exclusively to before-school, afterschool, and summer learning programs. This fact sheet provides an updated overview of the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program, highlights its outcomes and benefits, and addresses the current state of funding.

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21st CCLC Facts and Figures (2019)

The 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) initiative is the only federal funding source dedicated exclusively to before-school, afterschool, and summer learning programs. This fact sheet provides an updated overview of the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program, highlights its outcomes and benefits, and addresses the current state of funding.

21st CCLC

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21st Century Community Learning Centers: The evidence base (Feb 2020)

21st Century Community Learning Centers: The evidence base (Feb 2020) Over the course of more than 20 years, the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) initiative has expanded and evolved to offer elementary, middle, and high schoolers enriching learning activities outside of the school day in literacy, math, science, the arts, and music, as well as hands-on experiences to help develop workforce skills. This document provides a small sampling of current research that demonstrates participation in Community Learning Centers makes a positive difference in the lives of the young people they serve.

21st CCLC Evaluations

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Afterschool Essentials

Afterschool Essentials are materials that help to make a strong case for afterschool, including key facts about the afterschool hours, the positive impact of afterschool, and details about the 21st Century Community Learning Centers initiative—the only federal funding source dedicated exclusively to before-school, afterschool and summer learning programs.

21st CCLC Evaluations

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Afterschool Programs Keep Kids Safe, Engage Kids in Learning and Help Working Families (2014)

A concise overview of the state of afterschool in the U.S., as well as key research on the benefits and outcomes associated with participation in programs. 

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Afterschool Programs Open, but Still Recovering Post-Pandemic (February 2023)

In a survey of 1,016 afterschool program providers, conducted between October 24 and November 30, 2022, more than 9 in 10 report that they are open, with majorities providing their students with opportunities for academic enrichment, collaboration and connection with their peers, building foundational skills, and leadership opportunities. However, while providers are increasingly reporting that they have been able to return to pre-COVID capacity limits, there are still nearly 1 in 4 providers who say that they have not been able to return to their regular operational capacity.

Surveys COVID-19

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Afterschool Programs Support Learning Recovery But Struggle with Staffing and Program Costs (April 2024)

A survey of 1,116 afterschool program providers, conducted between October 31 and December 5, 2023, finds that afterschool programs are keeping young people connected, engaged, and inspired, but also continue to face challenges largely due to staffing and program costs. For programs that have been able to obtain federal pandemic relief funds, these funds have helped them keep their doors open, take steps to enhance staff recruitment and retention efforts, serve more students, and expand programming. However, as the end of this federal funding approaches, providers are very concerned about their future sustainability.

Evaluations

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Afterschool Rising to Challenges Brought by the Pandemic - Waves 1-6 (February 2022)

Beginning in late spring 2020 and through late 2021, the six waves of Afterschool Alliance’s Afterschool in the Time of COVID-19 online survey, conducted by Edge Research, documents afterschool and summer programs’ operating status, services, and challenges throughout COVID-19. The series demonstrates that through the ups and downs of the pandemic, what has remained constant is the ability of the afterschool field to rise to moment and meet the needs of the children and families in their communities.

Surveys COVID-19

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Afterschool Supports Students' Success (May 2016)

Afterschool programs across the county are inspiring learning, providing safe and supportive environments, and giving students the essential supports they need to succeed in school and beyond. This fact sheet and accompanying appendix highlights research that shows that afterschool programs are helping support students’ success.

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Appendix