The Impact of After-School Programs That Seek to Promote Personal and Social Skills Joseph A. Durlak, Loyola University Chicago Roger P. Weissberg, University of Illinois Chicago & the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) Acknowledgements: W.T. Grant Foundation (Grant # )

Free powerpoint template: 2 Focus of the Review Comprehensive review of current knowledge 66 After-school Programs with data at post Program Goals: promoting personal/social skills Included studies: –Control group present –Out of school hours –Operate during the school year

Free powerpoint template: 3 Why This Review is Important Prior reviews not focused on personal/social skills Large number of programs evaluated This is new and up-to-date information 60% of program reports appeared > 2000

Free powerpoint template: 4 Research Questions What types of outcomes can after-school programs foster in youth? Can we identify the program features that lead to better youth outcomes?

Free powerpoint template: 5 Overall, programs are Youth benefit in three areas –School performance –Feelings and attitudes –Behavioral adjustment Findings effective

Free powerpoint template: 6 Outcomes and Findings Positive Results for: School performance –Academic achievement test scores –School grades –School attendance Feelings and attitudes –Self-perceptions –School bonding Behavioral adjustment –Positive social behaviors –Problem behaviors –Drug use

Free powerpoint template: 7 Which programs are effective? Programs that used evidence-based skill training approaches were successful in all outcome areas Programs that did not use these approaches did not deliver significant benefits to youth in any outcome area

Free powerpoint template: 8 Effective Programs are S.A.F.E. Sequential: Active: Focused: Explicit: sequenced activities to achieve skills interactive forms of learning emphasis on personal or social skills targeting of specific skills

Free powerpoint template: 9 Conclusions and Recommendations Programs can be effective in multiple ways Both program content and process are important for success It is not only WHAT YOU DO, but also HOW YOU DO IT that counts– program quality

Free powerpoint template: 10 Policy Implications Findings should reassure those questioning the value of after-school programs Important to consider the range of possible program benefits Program quality is critical to success Programs should be accountable for ongoing assessment & continual improvement of services

Free powerpoint template: 11 Value-Added Benefits Outcome areaOutcome type Value added benefit Feelings and attitudes Child self- perceptions School bonding 43% 30%

Free powerpoint template: 12 Value-Added Benefits Outcome areaOutcome type Value added benefit Behavioral adjustment Positive social behaviors Problem behaviors Drug use 35% 30% 25%

Free powerpoint template: 13 Value-Added Benefits Outcome areaOutcome type Value added benefit School Performance Academic Achievement test scores School grades 37% 27%

Free powerpoint template: 14 Additional Information For more information, contact A full report of the findings will be available at