The Harvard Family Research Project separated from the Harvard Graduate School of Education to become the Global Family Research Project as of January 1, 2017. It is no longer affiliated with Harvard University.
We evaluated Sports4Kids—a school-based program to improve children’s health and well-being through physical activity and safe and meaningful play—at the William H. Ohrenberger Elementary School in Boston. Sports4Kids programs are in 115 schools across the country.
Sports4Kids places a full-time site coordinator in each school for a curriculum that is implemented Monday through Friday. The five-part curriculum includes: 1) facilitated and supervised play during recess and lunch, 2) class game time, 3) an after school program, 4) a junior coach program, and 5) evening sports leagues.
The evaluation’s goal was to document Sports4Kids’ implementation and outcomes over the school year and to identify potential ways to scale up evaluation efforts in Sports4Kids sites across the country. We collected data during the 2006–2007 school year using a mixed-methods case study design (with structured observation, surveys, interviews).
Our evaluation questions included:
- How were program components implemented and what lessons exist about improving implementation?
- Were stakeholders satisfied with the program?
- Did children have improved physical health?
- Did children have improved emotional health?
- Was the school culture supportive of healthy development?
- Were adults supportive of physical activity?