Alignment/ Collaboration
Beyond Basic Training: Promising Strategies for Connecting Out-of-School Time Programs to Schools: Learning What Works
In response to the recent trend of linking the school day to out-of-school time efforts, the Harvard Family Research Project reviewed existing data to identify some key elements of successfully linking the two in order to produce positive outcomes. The authors describe five key elements of successful alignment including shared space, leadership support, shared staff, curriculum alignment, and a common vision. Fall 2006.
Learning to Bridge - Bridging to Learn: A Model and Action Plan to Increase Engagement Between Schools and Afterschool Programs in Boston
Commissioned in 2002, the Program in Afterschool Education and Research (PAER) at Harvard Graduate School of Education offers a model and action plan to increase engagement between school and after-school programs in Boston.
Linking School and After School: Strategies for Success
This article by the Harvard Family Research Project reviews one school’s methods of aligning the school day and their after school programs. The author describes the four main strategies for linking the program to the school day. These strategies are strategic thinking regarding staffing issues, utilizing effective communication, offering after-school curriculum based on the standards of the school day, and providing professional development. Fall 2006.
The Reality Underneath the Buzz of Partnerships: The Potentials and Pitfalls of Partnering
This article by the Stanford Social Innovation Review looks at the benefits and disadvantages of building partnerships to provide program services. It examines the recent trend of funders requiring partnerships as stipulations for receiving grant funds. The author indicates that this method of forcing partnerships may not be the best practice as it was found that often when the funding period ended, so too did the partnerships. Some suggestions about measuring the success of partnerships are also presented. Spring 2005.
The Role of the School in Children's Out-of-School Time
This article by The Future of Children examines the many roles which schools are assuming in current trends of out-of-school time. The prevalence of school-based services is outlined with brief descriptions of the different program types. The authors discuss the various challenges with implementation, physical space and materials, program quality, funding and accountability. Fall 1999.
