What Boards Can Do
School board members are in a unique position to build and sustain the momentum around after-school program initiatives in their communities.
The board, in collaboration with the superintendent, staff, and community leaders, can initiate a range of policies, networks, funding adjustments, incentives, quality standards, training, technical assistance, and convening strategies to help transform schools into community learning centers with a rich array of learning opportunities beyond regular school hours. At the same time, these initiatives can help make after-school and summer programs better count for learning and positive youth development.
Resources
- Best Practice Research and Evaluation
Reports and studies highlighting best practices in after-school programming including academic outcomes, emotional and social acquistion, working with older youth as well as other topics.
- Board Policies/Vision
Resources and information on governance, and policy development related to after-school programming.
- Collaboration
Examples and strategies of creating successful partnerships with local businesses, community based organizations, local governement, and other stakeholders.
- Funding Opportunities
General and area specific information on financing, cost benefit analyses, financing strategies and specific funding sources of after-school programs.
- Program Evaluation
Formal research evaluation studies, planning instruments and quality assessment tools related to program evaluation at all levels.
- Starting a Program
- Sustaining a Program
Strategies and techniques on developing effective sustainability plans for school-based and school-linked after-school programs.
- Special Interests