Quick thoughts from today’s conference session on research.
Afterschool and summer programs make dramatic impacts on lives and communities – but its only through rigorous research and evaluation that we can make that case. Examples of benefits/outcomes that have been proven through research/evaluation:
- Proof of improved academic outcomes (grades, test scores)
- Analysis outlining that higher dosage of OST learning produces better results
- Youth with the greatest risks realize the greatest benefits of these programs
- Improved feelings, behaviors, safety, and in-school behavior
- Health and wellness benefits
- Productivity – working parents miss less work and work more hours when children are in programs. Saves $50-300 billion in lost productivity! Every dollar invested in afterschool saves taxpayers $3 in school-related costs – and even more when you include crime and other secondary costs!
Not only will solid research provide suggestions/lessons for program improvement based on the outcomes listed above, but it can allow your organization to advocate in a widespread way for afterschool programs – to make the case externally for the value of afterschool, and raise awareness about its impact.
Win win!
- Rachel Gwaltney
Monday, May 16, 2011
Middle School Innovation: Policy and Practice #a4aChallenge
For all students, middle school is a time of extraordinary challenge. Students experience significant social and emotional changes as academic expectations increase. On average, grades and test scores plummet during the transition to middle school and continue to decline through 8th grade. Schools become more dangerous places, and students become more likely to disengage from family, experiment with unhealthy behaviors, and devalue education.
The challenges of middle school are exacerbated in at-risk communities, where students are more likely to lack quality schools, quality out-of-school-time activities, and positive role models — and where they are more likely to be surrounded by poverty, to encounter violence and gangs in their neighborhoods and schools, and to face significant barriers to learning.
This morning's Afterschool for All Challenge conference session, Middle School Innovation: Policy and Practice, was a great deep-dive into the unique issues facing OST middle school providers. Some takeaways for these providers:
- coordinate with city and school services with the goal of attaining a seamless integration with the principal and school
- learning should be hands-on and project-based - focused on real-world application active learning
- face the unique needs of middle school students head-on - provide peer learning and structured leadership opportunities that support middle school youth... ultimately giving youth a sense of belonging, a place where they matter.
- have diverse and authentic staff/volunteers who are passionate about what they do - people who young people want to be around and can look up to!
- devote attention to program culture - be deliberate here
- monitor quality and outcomes!
- expose youth to future possibilities/career/college aspirations beyond their own communities
Stay tuned for more from the conference!
- Rachel Gwaltney, Chief of Programs
The challenges of middle school are exacerbated in at-risk communities, where students are more likely to lack quality schools, quality out-of-school-time activities, and positive role models — and where they are more likely to be surrounded by poverty, to encounter violence and gangs in their neighborhoods and schools, and to face significant barriers to learning.
This morning's Afterschool for All Challenge conference session, Middle School Innovation: Policy and Practice, was a great deep-dive into the unique issues facing OST middle school providers. Some takeaways for these providers:
- coordinate with city and school services with the goal of attaining a seamless integration with the principal and school
- learning should be hands-on and project-based - focused on real-world application active learning
- face the unique needs of middle school students head-on - provide peer learning and structured leadership opportunities that support middle school youth... ultimately giving youth a sense of belonging, a place where they matter.
- have diverse and authentic staff/volunteers who are passionate about what they do - people who young people want to be around and can look up to!
- devote attention to program culture - be deliberate here
- monitor quality and outcomes!
- expose youth to future possibilities/career/college aspirations beyond their own communities
Stay tuned for more from the conference!
- Rachel Gwaltney, Chief of Programs
Friday, April 15, 2011
The 2011 Green Apple Awards: Above and Beyond!
The 2011 Green Apple Awards:
Above and Beyond!
On May 12th, Higher Achievement DC Metro will celebrate the graduation of 63 8th grade scholars at its 11th annual Green Apple Awards. The event will certainly be a night to remember as we honor the years of hard work and excellence that our scholars have spent on their quest for top high school placement. This year’s class was extremely successful in this quest with acceptances at: The School Without Walls, Benjamin Banneker Academic High School, the Edmund Burke School, and Gonzaga College High School, just to name a few!
In addition to these accomplishments, this year we are honored to welcome James H. Shelton III, Assistant Deputy Secretary for Innovation and Improvement, as our keynote speaker. Mr. Shelton, a former Higher Achievement scholar, will speak to the scholars about his path to success and the importance of working hard and setting high goals. We are also extremely proud to honor two local partners who have truly gone above and beyond in their dedication to Higher Achievement and its scholars: Noblis and Douglas Jordan.
DATE: May 12, 2011
TIME: 6:30-8:30
LOCATION: The Lincoln Theatre, 1215 U. St. NW
Monday, April 11, 2011
Why STEM is Vital for Out-of-School Time Programs
After the disappointing results on PISA and NAEP, it’s no surprise that policy makers, educators, parents, and communities are talking about science in American classrooms. What’s often missing in these discussions is the important role of OST in teaching important academic skills and inspiring a passion for science. Higher Achievement is excited to see Education Week take on the subject in their recent report on Science Learning outside the Classroom.
Higher Achievement recognizes the need to create opportunities for substantive engagement with science both in and out of the classroom. We are responding to this need with a comprehensive approach by integrating STEM (an interdisciplinary approach to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) into our academic program. Through exciting afterschool seminars and summer curricula, we are implementing hands-on and inquiry-based learning of science curriculum across all grades. To support the integration of STEM curriculum, we are building staff development and volunteer trainings that ultimately help scholars develop skills related to scientific thinking and foster a passion for the subject.
This report is a must-read – and articulates much of what Higher Achievement believes about the vital role of out-of-school time programs in science learning. - Sophie Huntington Director of Curriculum and Instruction Higher Achievement
Higher Achievement recognizes the need to create opportunities for substantive engagement with science both in and out of the classroom. We are responding to this need with a comprehensive approach by integrating STEM (an interdisciplinary approach to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) into our academic program. Through exciting afterschool seminars and summer curricula, we are implementing hands-on and inquiry-based learning of science curriculum across all grades. To support the integration of STEM curriculum, we are building staff development and volunteer trainings that ultimately help scholars develop skills related to scientific thinking and foster a passion for the subject.
This report is a must-read – and articulates much of what Higher Achievement believes about the vital role of out-of-school time programs in science learning. - Sophie Huntington Director of Curriculum and Instruction Higher Achievement
Friday, April 8, 2011
Join Higher Achievement for Global Youth Service Day
Global Youth Service Day 2011
Sunday, April 17 from 9:00am - 12:00pm
Magruder Park, 3901 Hamilton St. Hyattsville, MD.
Higher Achievement will be partnering with the Anacostia Watershed Society (AWS) to take part in the 2011 Global Youth Service Day. Youth, families, mentors and staff will come together to clean up the Anacostia River by removing invasive plants surrounding the area on Magruder Park. The service project includes an educational component in where the AWS staff will talk about the watershed and the history and ecology of the area, and will be sure to point out interesting native plants and animals.
All youth participants under the age of 18 are required to fill out a permission form in order to participate in the project.
Directions: From Queens Chapel Rd. take Hamilton St., go by the Safeway on the right, pass 38th St., go about one block and the entrance to the park will be on your right. The closest Metro station is West Hyattsville (green line). From the station you can walk about 10 blocks down Hamilton St. and the park will be on your right.
We strongly recommend that you wear long pants and closed-toe shoes
Questions? Contact Amanda Babine at ababine@higherachievement.org
Monday, April 4, 2011
Make the Call Today to Save Service
From Save Service: The government is currently operating under a short-term resolution that will expire Friday, April 8th. As that deadline nears, House and Senate leadership have resumed high-level budget negotiations in hopes of drafting a FY11 budget bill that has enough support to pass both chambers and end the current legislative stalemate.
Right now Congress is deeply divided and the end-game is very uncertain. That’s why you need to pick up the phone today and ask your Senators to pass a year-long spending bill that funds the Corporation for National and Community Service. Remind them that these programs work in every state and have deep support in local communities.
Visit http://www.saveservice.org/ to find out how to call - they'll provide a number that links you directly with your Senator, background info on the bill, and detailed talking points for your call.
AmeriCorps and other community service organizations help make our work at Higher Achievement possible - please take a moment today to make your voice heard.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Save the Date - June 3!
The First Annual Higher Achievement SUMMER FUNdraiser!
This event will be a salute to summer featuring good food, good friends and lots of FUN! The first Higher Achievement event of its kind, this extended Happy Hour is the perfect way to kick off a Friday night in the District. Stay tuned for a link to purchase tickets.
WHO: You and your friends, coworkers, neighbors – spread the word and bring them all!
WHAT: A good time for a good cause – Open bar and appetizers for $50!
WHEN: Friday, June 3, 2011 from 7:00-10:00pm
WHERE: STROGA Studios, in the heart of Adams Morgan at 18th & Columbia Streets, NW Check out more pictures of the beautiful venue, here: http://www.stroga.com/index.cfm
WHY: Two-thirds of a child’s learning loss takes place during the summer months. This summer, your $50 ticket purchase will provide ten Higher Achievement scholars with access to FUN academic opportunities like engaging electives, field trips and an overnight university experience, ensuring they return to school on track to graduate.
AFTER PARTY! $3 mixed drinks and domestic bottles down the street at Town Tavern! http://www.towntaverndc.com/
Meet some of the young people your donation will support by watching this video about LOVE that the scholars made for Valentine’s Day
Click here to purchase tickets!
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