Measuring OST Success
Get the tools you need to collect and measure data about your out-of-school time (OST) program. Gain the strategies and knowledge from our training, tools, and publications you need to use the data and improve your program--for youth and staff!
How can you determine if your OST program works? Measure it. Data can be a powerful indicator of what children/youth are gaining from your programs and what areas need to be improved.
To meet the needs of OST program providers, NIOST developed a research-based, field-tested suite of evaluation tools -- the APAS System -- that allows OST professionals to measure and build on their success in these key areas:
- Program quality
- Youth engagement
- Youth outcomes
- Long-term growth
Intro to APAS: A brief video introduction to the science behind our assessment system.
The APAS System includes three flexible, research-based measurement tools that can be used individually or together:
The entire user-friendly system is free to use after you complete the required pre-requisite training program for each tool. For a small fee, we will train you and your staff, either in-person or online, to record detailed data using the APAS System and to use that data to create an action plan.Together, we will help you build an OST program that works.
