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Project Description

The Extended-Service Schools (ESS) Initiative, which supported the creation of 60 after school programs in 20 communities around the country, was designed to provide opportunities for youth in their after-school time. Each community adapted one of four national models: Beacon, Bridges to Success, Community Schools, and West Philadelphia Improvement Corporation. The ESS Initiative evaluation focused on four central questions:
1. Which children and youth came to the after-school programs? Why did they come? Were the programs attracting the young people who could most benefit from participation?
2. What were the characteristics of high-quality activities in these programs--activities that promoted the positive development of the children and youth who attended?
3. What benefits did the children and youth gain from participation?
4. What was the cost to operate the after-school programs, and what were the ways to finance them?

Project duration: May 1998 - Jun 2002

Sites studied include Beacon:
Denver, CO
Minneapolis, MN
Oakland, CA
Savannah, GA

Bridges to Success:
Flint, MI
Missoula, MT
Greensboro, NC
Philadelphia, PA
Jacksonville, FL
Central Falls, RI
Mesa, AZ

Community Schools:
Boston, MA
Long Beach, CA
Salt Lake City, UT

West Philadelphia Improvement Corporation:
Albuquerque, NM
Atlanta, GA
Aurora, CO
Birmingham, AL
Denver, CO
Lexington, KY

Sample Characteristics and Sites Studied

Student Survey: N=1708 enrollees who completed at least one day of ESS.
Parent Survey: N=221 telephone interviews.
Activity Observations: N=30 activities observed in 3 middle schools.

Recent Findings in Brief

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