Research topic
Effects of Afterschool Programs for Students
Research problem
Afterschool programs are important and they play a critical role in student development when it comes to different aspects of life. Students require more just a good curriculum, time in the classroom and good teachers in order for them to learn and advance effective skills that will aid them succeed in life (Commini, 2016).
Research problem background
Afterschool programs embrace the time that is between school time and the time before parents most of whom are working get home. This is a crucial time where children can engage in many activities most of which are immoral and unproductive (Commini, 2016). The afterschool programs for these students will help them engage in productive activities, that are both exciting and educative which will help them improve on their social as well as academic lives (Little, 2014).
Theoretical foundations
Theory of change supports the programs arguing that the programs create room for change from the normal classroom environment to a more fun and exciting setting where students get to explore different matters of life (Little, 2014). The afterschool programs help to break the monotony in a child’s life and this motivates them to become more create and hence success in life.
Contributions to theory
Research that has been conducted has shown that children that get engaged in afterschool programs develop a positive attitude toward hard work and performing better academically (Simpkins & Riggs, 2014). They are less probable to connect with gangs and be victims or offenders of violence because they do not have the time for that.
Theoretical implications
Parents are less worried and they tend to be more industrious when the schoolchildren are in afterschool programs which in turns save hundreds of billion dollars for companies that have employed them (Simpkins & Riggs, 2014).
Practical implications
Effective afterschool programs are those that understand that schools require working hand in hand with the entire community to create undertakings that improve and accompaniment effective education (Kremer et al., 2015). The programs engage community based programs and volunteers for example museums and faith grounded groups among others, which influence the best of societies to assist students understand the society better and hence higher chances of success for them (Ha & Park, 2017).
Ethical considerations
After school programs should ensure that they provide a safe nurturing environment for the children and encourage positive relationships within the program (Lee et al., 2012). The activities that the students are engaged in should be comprehensively intellectual and also help improve their physical health.
References
Commini, R. (2016). Enhancing Educator Confidence in Assisting Military-Connected Students in a Multitiered Support System with an Inservice Program (Doctoral dissertation, Middle Tennessee State University).
Ha, Y., & Park, H. J. (2017). Can after-school programs and private tutoring help improve students’ achievement? Revisiting the effects in Korean secondary schools. Asia Pacific Education Review, 18(1), 65-79.
Kremer, K. P., Maynard, B. R., Polanin, J. R., Vaughn, M. G., & Sarteschi, C. M. (2015). Effects of after-school programs with at-risk youth on attendance and externalizing behaviors: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of youth and adolescence, 44(3), 616-636.
Lee, A. H., Yang, C. N., & Lin, C. Y. (2012). Evaluation of children’s after-school programs in Taiwan: FAHP approach. Asia Pacific Education Review, 13(2), 347-357.
Little, P. M. (2014). Evaluating afterschool programs. New Directions for Youth Development, 2014(144), 119–132. https://doi.org/10.1002/yd.20117
Simpkins, S. D., & Riggs, N. R. (2014). Cultural competence in afterschool programs. New Directions for Youth Development, 2014(144), 105–117. https://doi.org/10.1002/yd.20116
