A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

FOR RELEASE
April 7, 2000

Contact:
Melinda Kitchell Malico
(202) 401-1008

SAFE AND SMART AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS
DETAILED IN GUIDE FOR COMMUNITIES

Eighty-five percent of adults say it's hard to find after-school programs for children and teens, and as many as 15 million latchkey children return each day to an empty house after school. Forty-four percent of third graders are unsupervised at least some of their time out of school and about 35 percent of 12-year-olds are regularly by themselves after school.

The figures are from a new updated guide, Working for Children and Families: Safe and Smart After-School Programs, jointly prepared by the U.S. Departments of Education and Justice. First released in 1998, some 50,000 copies of the initial edition have been distributed.

"Parents today know that quality after-school activities are more than babysitting," said U.S. Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley and Attorney General Janet Reno in the guide. "They want their children to acquire new skills and broaden their education. Millions of Americans, struggling to be both good parents and good workers, would like to rely on after-school programs during the work week. These programs make good sense for children, families and our nation."

There is a critical need for more after-school programs, the guide notes. More than 28 million children have parents who work outside the home and the gap between parents' work schedules and their children's school schedules can amount to 20 to 25 hours per week. Statistics show that most juvenile crime is committed between the hours of 2 and 8 p.m., with most crime taking place shortly after school lets out. After-school programs can provide safe havens; help children develop relationships with caring adults, and help young people acquire new skills, broaden their education, receive tutoring, study art and music and perform community service.

Estimates reveal that just 6 million children in grades K-8 participate in before- and after-school programs. The report describes a chronic shortage of after-school programs in which demand currently outstrips supply by two to one.

The research presented in the report shows that after-school programming can have a positive impact on children and youth, especially those at risk for delinquency. The positive outcomes associated with after-school programs that could help keep children on the right track include:

• Decreases in juvenile crime, violent victimization and vandalism.

• Avoidance of negative influences that lead to risky behaviors, such as drug, alcohol and tobacco use. In addition, after-school programs offer positive alternatives to excessive television watching.

Positive academic achievement outcomes for students attending after-school programs may include:

• Better grades, higher academic achievement and an increased interest and ability in reading.

• Improved school attendance, engagement in school and lower dropout rates.

• Spending more time learning and turning in better quality homework.

• Fewer students retained in grade and placed in special education.

• Higher aspirations for the future, including staying in school and going to college.

Support for social development and better relationships with adults and peers often result in fewer behavioral problems, better handling of conflicts, more cooperation with adults and peers, better social skills and higher self-confidence.

After-school programs can also help to foster greater family, community and business involvement in schools and promote growth in children's sense of community.

Certain characteristics are common among high-quality programs, according to the guide. Successful programs link learning and teachers during the school day and after school. Such programs set goals and have strong leadership. They hire skilled and qualified staff and provide them with on-going training. Quality programs form partnerships with community-based organizations, juvenile justice agencies, law enforcement and youth groups, and reach out to families.

The guide illustrates successful programs that respond to varying community needs. Among those profiled are programs in Tucson, Ariz.; Little Rock, Ark; San Jose, Calif.; New Haven, Conn.; East Harlem, N.Y.; Providence, R.I.; Chattanooga, Tenn.; and San Antonio.

The report is available on both department web sites at www.ojjdp.ncjrs.org and www.ed.gov/offices/OESE/archives/pubs/parents/SafeSmart/, and by calling 1-877-4ED-PUBS.

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