After School Programs: A $1 Billion Necessity for Students After the Pandemic

With the pandemic now a thing of the past, educators are looking to how they can help students make up for the learning loss that took place. According to Education Week, "states and districts have scrambled to come up with ways to make up for lost time after officials closed schools for weeks or months because of concerns about the spread of coronavirus." One solution that is being implemented more and more is after-school programs. These programs, which fall under the category of expanded learning programs, provide a much-needed opportunity for students to get extra help in their academics as well as engage in other enriching activities. The California Department of Education is making huge investments into education that will expand the amount of after-school programs for families throughout the state.

California's Investment in After School Programs

The state of California has committed to invest $1 billion in after-school programs. This investment will go towards providing quality programs for students in grades K-12. The goal is to have these programs available to all families, regardless of income level. This is a much-needed investment that will help close the achievement gap and provide opportunities for all students to succeed.

How After School Programs Help Students

There are many ways in which after-school programs help students. First and foremost, they provide extra academic support that can be vital for students who are struggling in school. These programs also offer a safe and supportive environment for students to socialize and make friends. In addition, after-school programs often expose students to new and different activities that they may not have had the opportunity to participate in otherwise. These experiences can help students develop new interests and skills.

The Importance of After School Programs

After-school programs are an ever-growing necessity, especially after the immense learning loss that was experienced during the pandemic. These programs provide vital support for students and families. With the right combination of social-emotional and wellness support, after-school programs can play a vital role in uplifting communities.

What Families Think of After School Programs

Families are overwhelmingly supportive of after-school programs. In a survey conducted by the Afterschool Alliance, 97% of parents said they believe after-school programs help their child do better in school. 91% of parents also said they believe after-school programs keep their children safe and out of trouble.

There is no doubt that after-school programs are a vital part of the education system. These programs provide students with the support they need to succeed in school and in life. With the right investments, all families can have access to these important programs.

Student Hires After-School Programs

Student Hires has spent the past year launching our one-of-a-kind afterschool program. Our after-school programs are rebuilding the California educator workforce by providing valuable job opportunities for students in our after-school programs. Our educational programs focus on delivering projects that develop a student’s leadership skills, communication skills, grit, and other foundational skills through social skills lessons and interactions. If you're looking for a program focused on community, become a partner to bring a Student Hires program to your school.

What are your thoughts on after-school programs? Do you think they are a necessary part of education? Let us know in the comments!

References:

- Education Week, "States and districts scramble to make up for lost time after officials closed schools for weeks or months because of concerns about the spread of coronavirus."

- California Department of Education, "California's Investment in After School Programs"

- Afterschool Alliance, "Survey of Parents on Afterschool Programs"

- National Institute on Out-of-School Time, "The Importance of Afterschool Programs"