Reframing the Expectations for OST

The Big Picture—Our recent emphasis on budget lines items and amendments should not obscure the need to take a long-term view in advocating for the field. A critical element of this advocacy must continue to be building public will around a strong identity for afterschool and out-of-school time learning. Unfortunately, the field is often inhibited by two somewhat conflicting expectations:

>Afterschool as childcare
>Afterschool as an extension of the school day

When parents view afterschool as childcare they often utilize it inconsistently in response to periodic need. Research shows, however, that such sporadic attendance limits a program’s ability to have a positive impact. Moreover, reducing the basic function of afterschool to childcare excludes the role these programs play in healthy youth development. Viewing afterschool as an extension of the school day also limits the potential of the field. Focusing on academic achievement and structuring content in a school-like way overshadows the unique characteristics of afterschool that make it a valuable alternative learning environment. Regardless of the content a program offers, it will not tap deeper developmental assets in youth if it does not strengthen its assets as a distinct developmental setting.

As we continue to advocate for the field, it is critical that we work to reframe the expectations of the field. As a community, we need to understand that there is an objective value to supporting youth programs that are linked to outcomes that are cumulative over time and can’t be easily measured through some point-in-time assessment. We also need to continue to advocate for the unique strengths and assets that these programs bring to partnerships and collaborations with other organizations so that their work is valued and respected and that partnerships yield the best results for our children and youth.

FY2009...Another one bites the dust

Just when you think it is over, it starts all over again. . . On July 13, 2008, Governor Deval Patrick signed the FY2009 budget and we are proud that the efforts of a great many people led to substantial increases in funding for afterschool programming. The ASOST Quality Grants administered by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will be funded at $5.55 million, more than a 150 % increase over the $2 million allocated in FY2008 (which served 48 programs statewide). The Youth Violence Prevention grant at the Department of Public Health, moreover, has increased to $3.5 million. These are important increases that signal renewed support for afterschool programs on the heels of the work of the Special Commission on Afterschool and Out-of-School Time. In the next couple months we will be scheduling meetings with legislators, working with our networks to develop budget asks for FY2010 and start the entire process over again. In fact, we are somewhat late as the first budget hearings for FY2010 were held on August 12!

As we move forward with our work around the FY2010 budget, what do you think would make the most difference in the lives of children and youth in Massachusetts? Clearly, more resources are always a goal, but we have been thinking lately about the best way to manage and coordinate those resources. If the DESE already receives significant funding for academic OST programs through 21st Century Community Learning Center funds, perhaps the Afterschool and OST Quality Grants should be administered by another agency that can champion a well-defined youth development framework for those funds? As long as the ASOST grant is administered by DESE, it will compete with other agency initiatives, such as Expanded Learning Time, for state funds.

What do you think?