Research & Evaluation
NIOST is an action-research institute providing a national perspective on the critical issues facing the out-of-school time field.
We are dedicated to:
- Conducting, tracking and organizing research.
- Interpreting and synthesizing research for multiple audiences, including policymakers, press and practitioners.
- Participating in evaluation research at the program, community and national levels, both by conducting research and contributing to collaborative evaluations.
- Disseminating and packaging information in a variety of products such as publications, videos and electronic media.
Projects
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Active Projects
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Project Description
As part of this initiative, NIOST will be working to nationally expand the Afterschool Practitioner Fellowship, as well as disseminate the Afterschool Matters Journal and Occasional Paper Series and continue both the Edmund A. Stanley, Jr. Research Grantee program and the Research Roundtables forum. This initiative has a goal of fostering high quality, cutting-edge research, bridging research and practice, and showcasing research that impacts the afterschool field.
Project Description
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.
Project Description
NIOST is responsible for the evaluation of the AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts’ Be Safe Initiative.
Project Description
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.
Project Description
With funding from Cornerstones for Kids and the The Packard Foundation, NIOST is partnering with the Forum for Youth Investment and Child Care Services Association to develop a set of guidelines pormoting success and strengthening the work force for afterschool providers towards stability, preparation, support and commitment to the well-being and empowerment of youth.
Project Description
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.
Project Description
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.
Project Description
NIOST is conducting an Evaluation of a new afterschool program curriculum, “From Out-of-School to Outer Space: Exploring the Solar System with NASA,” which was developed by NASA. NIOST is providing evaluation services to support all phases of the “From Out-of-School to Outer Space” project over the next several years.
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Completed Projects
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Project Description
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.
Project Description
NIOST is conducting an evaluation of 21st Century Community Learning Programs in Framingham, Massachusetts. NIOST visits each site using the APT tool as a guide and shares their findings with the 21st century team. NIOST also assists with the analysis of SAYO data and the annual report to the DOE.
Project Description
The City of Cambridge hired NIOST for their general leadership and guidance and evaluation for the out-of-school time “Leading for Quality Initiative,” as well as facilitation of the executive level Communities of Practice. The goal of this project is quality improvement in Cambridge afterschool programs.
Project Description
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.
Project Description
With funding from Cornerstones for Kids and the The Packard Foundation, NIOST is partnering with the Forum for Youth Investment and Child Care Services Association to develop a set of guidelines pormoting success and strengthening the work force for afterschool providers towards stability, preparation, support and commitment to the well-being and empowerment of youth.
Project Description
This project sought to identify the most successful elements of afterschool programs in Massachusetts; including staff, policy making, funding, and program/activity participation.
Project Description
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.
Project Description
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?
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