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.

Please click on the Project Name for more detailed information



Afterschool Matters
Ongoing since 2007
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)
Ongoing since 2006 
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.

Tags: People: Georgia Hall, Projects, Projects: Out of Harm's Way,
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Be Safe Initiative – AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts
Ongoing since 2007
AIDS Awareness

NIOST is responsible for the evaluation of the AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts’ Be Safe Initiative.

Tags: People: Georgia Hall,
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Building an Outcomes Evaluation System Phase III
Ongoing since 2006
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.

 
Career Pathways
Ongoing since 2007
Career Pathways

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.

Tags: People: Ellen S. Gannett,
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CityWorks: Building Strong Citywide Afterschool Initiatives
Completed in 2004
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
Ongoing since 2002
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.

 
Framingham Public Schools
2007-2008
Evaluation of Learning Programs

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.

Tags: People: Georgia Hall,
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From Out-of-School to Outer Space: Exploring the Solar System with NASA
Ongoing since 2008
An Evaluation of a New Afterschool Curriculum

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.

Tags: People: Georgia Hall,
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Leading for Quality Initiative
2007-2008
Improving Cambridge Afterschool

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.

Tags: People: Ellen S. Gannett, People: Wendy Surr,
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Massachusetts Afterschool Research Study (MARS)
Completed in 2005
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
Completed in 2006
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...
Completed in 2006
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
2007-December 2008

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.