Policy Forum 19:4 - School's Out: After School Programs and Policies That Work

This Policy Forum summarizes the presentations of three national experts and a local planning committee at a 2007 IGPA Family Impact Seminar devoted to after-school programs in Illinois. We begin by comparing Illinois to other states in terms of availability of after-school programming and innovation in design and funding of these programs. We then summarize insights into how successful after-school programs achieve their goals, and how program quality can be assessed for program self-improvement and for accountability. Finally, we sum up some of the promising strategies Illinois might consider asit continues to expand learning and development opportunities for youth.