Projects
Afterschool Matters
A National Research, Writing and Action Initiative
Funded by the Robert Bowne Foundation, this project consists of four components:
(1)the Practioner Fellowship Program which provides an opportunity for staff to develop their writing and research skills
(2) the Afterschool Matters Journal publication to disseminate the
findings and experiences of the Practitioner Fellows and Research
Grantees and other researchers in the out-of-school time field
(3) the Edmund A. Stanley, Jr. Research Grantee Program to foster high
quality cutting-edge research that has lasting impact on the field; and
(4) the Research Roundtables as a forum for connecting research and practice.
Afterschool Program Assessment System (APAS)
Assessing Quality Afterschool Programs
With primary funding by the AT&T Family Care Development Fund, NIOST piloted their afterschool program assessment system in Atlanta, Georgia and New Jersey. Additional funding was provided by United Way Massachusetts Bay and Partners in Out-of-School Time to include Boston, MA and Charlotte, NC sites. The pilot succeeded in its objectives of completing the training modules, integrating the tools into a database (KidTrax by nFocus Software ), and writing an online tutorial for parts of the system.
An Evaluation of Out of Harm's Way
The Primary goal of the Out of Harm's Way (OHW) Initiative is to address the escalating violence in a subset of middle schools in the Boston Public Schools by offering comprehensive services and care, and increasing the participation of students in after school programming. Wellesley Centers for Women and the National Institute on Out-of-School Time would perform as the project evaluator.
Building an Outcomes Evaluation System Phase III
Developing a Youth Survey
During this phase of work, NIOST will design and develop two additional measurement tools—a youth survey (SAYO-Y) and a family survey (SAYO-F). These two tools will be used by Massachusetts Department of Education grantees to better understand youth needs, their program experiences and help pinpoint areas where youth may benefit from additional support.
CityWorks: Building Strong Citywide Afterschool Initiatives
Building Strong Afterschool Initiatives: Policy Planning
This project sought to improve the availability and preservation of out-of-school time programming and to disseminate information on recruiting, training, development, and finance.
Cross-Cities Network
Leaders of After-School Initiatives
This project connected high-level leaders from different cities and states to educate them on the dynamic landscape of after-school programs. In hopes of directing the influence, funding, and high expectations of these leaders towards a "critical mass" of associated initiatives across the country.
Massachusetts Afterschool Research Study (MARS)
Researching Quality Afterschool Programming: Massachusetts
This project sought to identify the most successful elements of afterschool programs in Massachusetts; including staff, policy making, funding, and program/activity participation.
Met Life Discovering Community Initiative: An Evaluation Project
Creating Communities in After-School Settings
This was an evaluation of a national project that fosters more positive attitudes and stronger affiliations among middle school teachers, students, and parents within school communities.
New York City Urban Debate League: Investigating Youth's Experiences...
NYC Debate Teams in Afterschool Programs
This study examined the ways in which youth participate in the League: how do they experience the democratic ideals of a debate program? How do they come to consider and participate in democracy?
Outcomes Evaluation of FasTracKids
The FasTracKids Research Study is a 19-month international study aimed at examining the link between participation in FasTracKids enrichment programs and child outcomes (children 4 and 5 years old). FasTracKids Enrichment Centers offer a variety of classes and activities designed to promote early learning, develop creative thinking and problem solving, build verbal communication, promote leadership and personal growth, and encourage a lifelong love of learning.