New Report: Complementary Learning

Posted by on August 5, 2005

[posted from Promising Practices in After School]

I have some news for you that I hope you’ll find of interest. The new issue of Harvard Family Research Project?s periodical, ?The Evaluation Exchange,? introduces ?complementary learning? — the idea that narrowing the achievement gap requires solid and sustained investments in nonschool learning supports, such as early care and education, families, after school programs, libraries, museums, and other community-based supports. While good schools are critical, schools alone cannot improve educational outcomes and fully prepare our children for success in the global 21st century. Complementary learning also calls for school and nonschool supports to link and align so they complement one another as well as schools and no longer operate in isolation.

The issue delves into the evidence base behind complementary learning and then examines mechanisms that can create effective linkages between learning contexts — mechanisms such as family involvement, technology, professional development, and diverse funding streams. Articles in this issue also highlight promising approaches for evaluating complementary learning practices and programs, both in terms of what outcomes to focus on and what methodologies to use.

The issue is available free of charge on our website at http://www.gse.harvard.edu/hfrp/eval/issue29. If you would like a hard copy just let me know. You can also subscribe to receive future issues free of charge at http://www.gse.harvard.edu/hfrp/subscribe.html.

This issue builds off the knowledge base we compiled in three prior issues of ?The Evaluation Exchange,? which each explored a particular area of nonschool learning supports. The Winter 2004/2005 issue covered family support and family involvement programs, the Summer 2004 issue examined early childhood programs, and the Spring 2004 issue was devoted to out-of-school time and youth development programs. Each of these issues is available on our website at http://www.gse.harvard.edu/hfrp/eval/archives.html.

We hope you find the new issue of interest and please let us know if you have any questions or feedback.

Best regards,

Stacey Miller
Publications Manager
HFRP

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Harvard Family Research Project
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Cambridge, MA 02138
Tel: 617-495-9108
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