Expanded Learning
Community schools offer enrichment opportunities to nurture the ongoing growth process in which children are engaged in building skills and competencies, integrated within and beyond the classroom walls. Through expanded learning, such as out-of-school time programming, caring adults guide students toward becoming caring, responsible adults. These activities fill the void of unstructured after-school time for many children, while reemphasizing lessons and curriculum from the school day.
The results are increased learning opportunities for children, increased attendance in school, and increased educational outcomes. By offering expanded learning programming in schools, opportunity gaps close, achievement gaps decrease, and children’s discovery of the world, themselves and their potential abounds.
Expanded Learning Services
The hours between 3-6 pm during the school year, or during the days of the summertime, can be hugely beneficial for children’s social, emotional and academic development. The following consultation and services help schools build and/or strengthen high quality, results-based expanded learning opportunities for all children.
Implementing High Quality, Results-Focused Expanded Learning Programs
Connectivity to partner programs whose expertise is expanded learning
Out-Of-School Time Program Data Collection, Analysis and Reporting
Program in Education, Assessment and Resiliency (PEAR) Impact and Assessment
Program Observation and Assessment for Expanded Learning Best Practices
Referrals to Local Youth Development Experts, Programs and Practitioners
Youth Programs Quality Assessment (YPQA) Program Evaluation
Understanding Summer Learning Loss
Expanded Learning: The Need, The Opportunity
Expanded learning opportunities can have tremendous benefits on children and families. Following are links to information and research from the Afterschool Alliance that showcase the need for high quality, after school programming in our schools, after 3:00 pm and during the summer months.
NATIONAL AFTERSCHOOL FACT SHEET
Here are some of the ways expanded learning programs benefit children…
Build a foundation for success in school and life
Help close the opportunity and achievement gaps
Keep children safe when out of school
Keep children healthy and active after school and during the summer
Engage children in STEM learning to develop critical skills
Help children gain workforce skills, such as teamwork and critical thinking
FOR MORE AFTERSCHOOL RESOURCES & RESEARCH…