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Purpose

Using resources provided by the American Rescue Plan (ARP), States, Districts and their partners have the opportunity to use out-of-school time (OST) to address the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on students, families, and their communities. A wide range of programs can be considered OST programs, including comprehensive afterschool, summer-learning and enrichment programs, vacation academies, work-based learning programs, youth development programs, experiential or service-learning programs and other expanded learning programs.

IES is committed to supporting the use of evidence-based practices in the design and implementation of these programs–while acknowledging that, as a field, we continue to learn together what works best, for whom, and under what conditions.

This site catalogs a variety of resources, including those created outside of IES, that may be useful in this effort. Keep in mind that while some practices are based on rigorous evidence, many are rooted in theory but have yet to be tested.

As we use and share today's best available evidence on out-of-school learning, we must continue to build stronger, more rigorous evidence about "what works" going forward. In doing so, educators can begin to address historic inequities exacerbated by COVID-19, including those affecting students of color, students from low-income backgrounds, students with disabilities, English learners, students who are migratory, students experiencing homelessness, students in correctional facilities, and students in foster care.