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Volume X, Number 1, Spring 2004 Issue Topic: Evaluating Out-of-School Time Program QualityThis issue of The Evaluation Exchange is the fourth devoted to exploring issues in the out-of-school time (OST) field. Its focus is assessing and improving the quality of out-of-school time and youth development programs. Articles cover innovative methodologies and new technology systems for assessing quality, strategies for recruitment and retention, and understanding and measuring participation. |
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From the Director's Desk
An introduction to the issue on Evaluating Out-of-School Time Program Quality by HFRP's Founder & Director, Heather B. Weiss, Ed.D.
Theory & PracticeCharacterizing and Measuring Participation in Out-of-School Time Programs
Sandra Simpkins Chaput from HFRP summarizes recent developmental research examining dimensions of participation in out-of-school activities.
Theory & PracticeAttracting and Sustaining Youth Participation in After School Programs
Sherri Lauver from HFRP proposes a set of strategies for recruiting and retaining youth participation in out-of-school time programs.
SpotlightGetting Inside the “Black Box” to Measure Program Quality
Nicole Yohalem, Karen Pittman, and Alicia Wilson-Ahlstrom from the Forum for Youth Investment provide an overview of program quality assessment tools.
Beyond Basic TrainingLife on the Ground: Balancing Youth Ownership With Adult Input
Kathrin Walker and Reed Larson from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign explore the dilemmas adult leaders in youth programs face and how they address them to improve program quality.
Beyond Basic TrainingBuilding Quality in Out-of-School Time in the United Kingdom
Ian Fordham, Pam Boyd, and Tony Apicella of ContinYou, a leading youth development organization in the United Kingdom, describe their efforts to improve quality in OST programming nationwide.
Beyond Basic TrainingPromoting Quality Out-of-School Time Programs Through Professional Development
Suzanne Bouffard from HFRP discusses how staff development initiatives and evaluations contribute to quality youth programming.
Beyond Basic TrainingYouth Civic Engagement: Emerging Theory and Practice
Margaret Post from HFRP examines the emerging practice of youth civic engagement and describes current efforts to promote quality in this area.
Beyond Basic TrainingOut-of-School Time Opportunities for Immigrant Youth
Erin Harris from HFRP discusses the importance of out-of-school time programs for immigrant youth.
Ask the ExpertDesigning Quality Assessment Tools in Early Childhood Education and Youth Development
Ted Jurkiewicz and Charles Hohmann from the High/Scope Educational Research Foundation describe the design of High/Scope's new Youth Program Quality Assessment tool.
Ask the ExpertLearning From Organizations That Learn
Four experts in the out-of-school time field discuss their experiences using evaluation for program improvement.
Ask the ExpertA Recipe for Quality Out-of-School Time Programs
Priscilla Little from HFRP asks eight after school experts to identity the single ingredient essential to ensuring high quality OST programs.
Questions & AnswersA Conversation With Howard Bloom & Stephen Raudenbush
Howard Bloom and Stephen Raudenbush talk about using randomized trials to assess youth programming.
Promising PracticesExtracting Evaluation Lessons From Four Recent Out-of-School Time Program Evaluations
Thomas J. Kane from the University of California, Los Angeles, distills lessons for future research from his review of four recent after school program evaluations.
Promising PracticesPromising Approaches to Evaluating Out-of-School Time Program Quality
Christopher Wimer from HFRP describes three promising methodological approaches to studying program quality in the OST arena.
Promising PracticesMeaningful Assessment and Continuous Improvement: Using the Foundations Quality Assurance System
Claudia Weisburd and Rhe McLaughlin of Foundations, Inc., describe their Quality Assurance System for program improvement.
Promising PracticesUsing Technology to Link Evaluation and Funding: San Francisco’s Contract Management System
Tajel Shah and Nani Coloretti of the San Francisco Department of Children, Youth and Their Families describe a web-based contract management system for youth programs.
Promising PracticesProgram Evaluation Across the Nation Using Technology
Sarah Levin Martin, currently with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, describes an innovative, cost-effective way to collect and report evaluation data for program quality improvement.
Evaluations to WatchThe New 3Rs — Reading, Resilience, and Relationships in Afterschool Programs
Gil Noam describes an evaluation to discover how well the New 3Rs, a proven school-based reading and risk prevention intervention, works in after school contexts.
Evaluations to WatchQuality Youth Interventions Through Community Assessment: Evaluation of the School Success Profile Intervention Package
Gary L. Bowen from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill describes the evaluation of an intervention system that uses assessment to design and implement high quality individualized youth services.
Evaluations to WatchInvestigating Quality: The Study of Promising After-School Programs
Deborah Lowe Vandell and Elizabeth R. Reisner discuss whether and how participation in high quality after school programs matters for youth outcomes.
Evaluations to WatchBringing Yourself to Work: Assessing the Impact of Social-Emotional Learning for After School Staff
Michelle Seligson describes a professional development initiative for after school practitioners.
Evaluations to WatchAssessing the How of Outcomes in Out-of-School Time: Learning From MARS
John Zuman and Beth Miller present an overview of the Massachusetts Afterschool Research Study, a statewide investigation into how after school programs constitute quality contexts for youth.
New & Noteworthy
An annotated list of organizations and initiatives related to the issue's theme of Evaluating Out-of-School Time Program Quality.
New & Noteworthy: Expanded Web Only Version
This web only version of the New & Noteworthy section features an expanded annotated list of organizations and initiatives related to the issue's theme of Evaluating Out-of-School Time Program Quality.
This issue of The Evaluation Exchange was published by Harvard Family Research Project, edited by Priscilla Little, managing editor, and produced by Stacey Miller, publications/communications manager and Tezeta Tulloch, publications assistant. All rights reserved. This periodical may not be reproduced whole or in part without written permission from the publisher. To request reprint permission, email hfrp_pubs@gse.harvard.edu.
Harvard Family Research Project gratefully acknowledges the support of the William T. Grant Foundation, the Annie E. Casey Foundation, W. K. Kellogg Foundation, and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. The contents of this publication are solely the responsibility of Harvard Family Research Project and do not necessarily reflect the view of our funders.
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