Publications

Out-of-School-Time Policy Commentary


Out-of-School Time Policy Commentary: Unpacking Youth Work Practice	The Forum's OST Policy Commentary series is back! In this issue we discuss the implications of recent research led by Bart Hirsch, Reed Larson and Charles Smith. Each study helps deepen our understanding of youth work practice and can inform policy strategies aimed at developing a strong, stable, committed and prepared OST workforce.	June 26, 2008
Out-of-School Time Policy Commentary #11: People, Places and Possibilities: Integrating Mentoring and After-School	This commentary explores the relationship between mentoring and after-school, two fields that have garnered significant policy attention and momentum over the past several years. The question is not which makes more sense — mentoring or after-school — but how can we utilize both strategies to increase the likelihood that young people have the supports they need to thrive.	February 28, 2006
Out-of-School Time Policy Commentary #10: Rethinking the High School Experience: What's After-School Got to Do With it?	With high school reform now a front-burner issue, districts and communities cannot afford to have high school after-school on the back burner. In this commentary, we focus on how and why the high school reform and after-school movements need to be woven together to produce a solid system of learning opportunities and developmental supports designed to help all young people prepare for the future.	August 26, 2005
Out-of-School Time Policy Commentary #9: When School Is Out, Museums, Parks and Libraries Are In	Parks, libraries, museums and other cultural organizations represent a diverse array of assets and share a broad mission to serve their communities, however, some may not realize the roles that these institutions can and do play in supporting young people during out-of-school time hours.	January 1, 2005
Out-of-School Time Policy Commentary #8: Out-of-School Time and Civic Engagement	The non-school hours, often framed as periods of risk, idleness or remediation, in fact constitute a powerful opportunity for civic renewal, engagement and change. This commentary describes how out-of-school time programs make ideal contexts for nurturing civic engagement, exploring the issue from the practice, research and policy perspectives.	October 1, 2004
Out-of-School Time Policy Commentary #7: School's Out: A Look at Summer Learning and Engagement	The word summer brings to mind images of a relaxed, unstructured season – a time markedly different from other seasons of the year. In the United States we have a particularly entrenched notion that summer is different – a notion reflected in popular assumptions about summer as a “break” and reinforced by carefree depictions of summer that abound in popular culture.	July 1, 2004
Out-of-School Time Policy Commentary #6: Participation during Out-of-School Time: Taking a Closer Look	This commentary examines the issue of youth participation in out-of-school time programs from two perspectives. It begins broadly and with a youth-centered lens, by asking how children and youth spend their discretionary time and how time use patterns relate to outcomes.	May 1, 2004
Out-of-School Time Policy Commentary #5: Inside the Black Box: Exploring the "Content" of After-School	How do effective programs deliver academic content? Can after-school programs help students master a broader base of content? What strategies can help programs and systems deliver content effectively? What is realistic to expect of programs? Program content is closely linked with our understandings about the purpose of after-school programming.	November 1, 2003
Out-of-School Time Policy Commentary #4: After-School for All? Exploring Access and Equity in After-School Programs	While significant progress has occurred over the past several years in terms of expanding both the quantity and quality of after-school opportunities, the ambitious idea of “after-school for all” remains a distant goal.	July 1, 2003
Out-of-School Time Policy Commentary #3: Reflections on System Building: Lessons from the After-School Movement	On February 3, 2003, the Bush Administration unveiled its request to cut funding for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program by 40 percent in fiscal year 2004.	May 1, 2003