RAND: Mixed results on extracurricular programs
MAIN STREET — Despite the results of a study released Wednesday from a prestigious think tank which suggests afterschool programs are not as effective as they could be, Santa Monica public schools are ahead of the curve.
Evidence is mixed on whether there is a national shortage of publicly-funded before-and afterschool programs for children and whether they improve academic achievement, according to the RAND Corp., a public policy think tank based in Santa Monica.
But in the Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District, there are a host of activities offered for students outside of the classroom.
“Our programs are highly-structured and have a high demand,” said SMMUSD Superintendent John Deasy. “There is a waiting list for many of our programs. They are definitely not just about ‘baby-sitting.’”
RAND Researchers Susan Bodilly and Megan Beckett undertook a literature review focused on programs that provide care for children ages 6 to 18 before and after school, which also attempt to improve behavioral, social and academic development. According to the study, information is limited whether there is an unmet demand for many of those programs nationally. Bodilly said evidence indicates the programs have had modest positive effects on academic achievement.
“Before expanding publicly funded out-of-school programs, policy makers may want to do further evaluations and work to improve the existing programs so they attract more students and produce the desired results,” the report states.
The study was commissioned by the Wallace Foundation, an independent national organization dedicated to expanding learning opportunities for people. “(This study) calls attention to the importance of developing high-quality programs that attract and retain young people so they participate long enough to receive the benefits the programs offer,” said M. Christine De Vita, president of the Wallace Foundation.
The SMMUSD’s child development services program is available year-round from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. for kindergarten through eighth-grade students. It operates on a $3.1 million annual budget, funded by the California Department of Education, as well as the city of Santa Monica and student fees.
“Ours program is probably different than what the RAND study was looking at,” said Judy Abdo, director of child development services for SMMUSD. “Our child programs are based on assessment and responsiveness. We have age-appropriate programs based on child development.”
Abdo said there are more than 1,000 students who take part in the SMMUSD childcare program, and more who take part in a city-sponsored organization.
Parents who qualify for the district program may receive scholarships so their children can participate. If parents don't qualify, the cost for enrollment is $294 per month.
“Less than half of the students in the program are funded through the state," Abdo said. "The majority of parents pay to put their children in the program.”
The district program includes an assessment at the beginning of the year to look at each child’s academic development. Abdo said every program includes homework.
“Kids have different needs,” she said. “What we try to do is offer as many choices as possible for families.”
Abdo said part of the district’s effectiveness in providing out-of-school programming is because it's city-supported, unlike similar programs in other cities, which may not offer the same resources for their youth.
Abdo said SMMUSD kindergarten through fifth grade students may take part in the city’s Childcare Recreation & Sports Together program, or CREST. CREST offers after school athletic and recreational activities to youth. There are more than 20 CREST activities available throughout the city.
“Partly because of a funding reason, the city decided to put money into the program years ago,” Abdo said.
Abdo said the most important aspect of the partnership between the school district and City Hall in providing out-of-school programming is that child development services is staffed by permanent, child development teachers.
“If you look at other programs, often times the staff does not have the background our teachers have,” Abdo said.
Among some of the qualities the RAND study suggested effective out-of-school programming should have include high expectations of students; a small enrollment; frequent assessment; and trained personnel who remain with the program.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on March 3, 2005. Read the original PDF.