New Brief: Expanded Learning Opportunities

Posted by on June 22, 2009

New Forum Brief – Improving the Quality of Expanded Learning Opportunities (ELOs) Serving Older Youth

Participation in high-quality “Expanded Learning Opportunities (ELOs)” is associated with an increase in academic achievement, school attendance, time spent on homework, enjoyment and effort in school, and better student behavior.  The term “expanded learning opportunity” is used to describe the range of programs and activities available to young people that occur beyond regular school hours. ELOs include traditional afterschool activities with an academic focus, but also incorporate activities such as internships with employers, independent study in alternative settings, classes on college campuses for high school students, and wraparound support services.  Policymakers and practitioners know quality counts, but just what exactly constitutes a “high-quality” ELO program?  How do ELO programs implement continual program improvement to better meet the needs of their participants?  How do ELOs make the best use of their funding dollars to ensure all youth participants are engaged in quality programming?  This forum highlighted research that examines the effects of the Youth Program Quality Assessment, a research-validated tool designed to evaluate and improve the quality of ELOs serving adolescents. Presenters provided insight on how the program quality assessment tool is being used at state and local levels to improve the quality of ELOs.  Presenters were  Dr. Charles Smith, Director, Center for Youth Program Quality, High/Scope Foundation (MI); Lee Pearson, Research Services Manager with the Center for Youth Program Quality (DC); Lorraine Thoreson, 21st Century Community Learning Center (CCLC) Consultant, Michigan Department of Education (MDE) (MI); Ge Xiong, Vice President of Community Programs, Camp Fire USA Minnesota Council (MN).

http://www.aypf.org/forumbriefs/2009/fb050809.htm