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Evaluations
Contract Canceled

The Effects of a Systematic Approach to Improving Quality in Afterschool Programs: An Impact Evaluation to Inform the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) Program

NCEE Evaluation Division K-12 Studies
Program: Elementary and Secondary Education Act
Award amount: $13,727,696
Awardee:
Mathematica, Synergy Enterprises, Research for Action, Pemberton Research
Year: 2019
Duration: 5 years 7 months (07/01/2019 - 02/10/2025)
Project type:
Impact
Contract number: 91990019C0056

Background

The time students spend outside of school hours, including after school, can be important opportunities for their social and academic development. The 21st CCLC program intends to provide these opportunities by funding a broad range of academic enrichment activities in community learning centers, particularly for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. But little is known about the extent and variety of recent program activities, or whether a systematic approach to support program quality could improve staff practices and student outcomes. This evaluation was to have produced a national picture of funded program activities and program improvement efforts and evaluate the effectiveness of a continuous quality improvement system aimed at improving staff practices to support students' social and emotional skills.

Project Activities

Research question

  • What were the activities and services offered by 21st CCLC afterschool centers? How were they staffed and supported to meet local needs?
  • What were the impacts of a continuous quality improvement system, which is a common component of 21st CCLC afterschool centers, on staff practices? What were the impacts on students' social and emotional skills and other school-related student outcomes?
  • What were the challenges with implementing a continuous quality improvement system, and how were they addressed?

Structured Abstract

Design

This evaluation was to have included a descriptive study of grantees and an impact study to determine the effectiveness of a specific strategy designed to improve student and grantee outcomes. The national description of program activities was to have been based on a survey of a nationally representative sample of 250 21st CCLC afterschool centers. To assess the effectiveness of the continuous quality improvement (CQI) system, approximately 100 21st CCLC afterschool centers were recruited to participate in the impact study. Half of the participating centers were selected by lottery to implement the CQI system supported by the study for two school years, and half continued their normally planned program. The impact study would have compared staff practices and student outcomes for the two groups of centers. Information was also collected about program operations and staff training and experiences with the CQI system. Data collection included afterschool center director interviews, an afterschool staff survey, observations of program quality at each center, student survey and afterschool attendance records, administrative school records, and a school-day teacher survey.

People and institutions involved

IES program contact(s)

Erica Johnson

Education Research Analyst
K-12 Studies

Products and publications

The contract for this study was canceled in February 2025. NCEE is evaluating what publications, if any, may arise from this work.

Questions about this project?

To answer additional questions about this project or provide feedback, please contact the program officer.

 

Tags

Academic AchievementFamily/CaregiverSocial/Emotional/BehavioralStudents

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Questions about this project?

To answer additional questions about this project or provide feedback, please contact the program officer.

 

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