What Is Expanded Learning
Chapter 2
The time students spend out of school is just as important as the time they spend in school. Our goal then, is to ensure the out-of-school time is spent as productively as possible and that students continue to learn and grow, even outside the traditional classroom.
The term “Afterschool” is often used interchangeably with “Out-of-school time” (OST). We define out-of-school time (OST) as all youth development programming that occurs beyond the traditional school day, including before school, after school, holiday breaks, weekends, summers and off days for districts with 4-day school weeks. Expanded Learning Opportunity (ELO) programs are structured to offer a wide range of learning and enrichment activities that promote the academic, physical, emotional and social development of all children and youth.
You may already be familiar with some of the programs supported by national organizations such as YMCA, Boys & Girls Clubs and 4-H. However, ELO programs also include the following resources:
• Licensed school-age child care centers
• Federally-funded 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC)
• School-based programs
• Faith-based programs
Licensed school-age child care centers Federally-funded 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) School-based programs Faith-based programs You may not realize that ELO programs can also include a variety of focused activities and learning opportunities for students:
• High school job shadowing/ intern programs
• Middle school leadership programs
• Clubs: science, arts, chess, writing, debate
• Service learning
• Project based learning projects
All of these programs assist in the development of the whole child’s growth and development. While the majority of programs are in the kindergarten through sixth grades, a growing need does exist for robust opportunities from seventh grade to one’s senior year in high school. Further, the students who participate in these programs come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences and all grade levels.
Students in today’s world face many challenges and threats, and ELO programs help address some of the critical issues students face. In 2014, 20% of Oklahoma’s children (approximately 130,367 children) were left alone and unsupervised for an average of 6.6 hours per week, which creates greater potential for these children to be at risk. Additionally, during the 2015-16 school year, 51 Oklahoma school districts implemented a 4 day school week, which means that even more students are left to fend for themselves while their parents work. Statistics from the Afterschool Alliance show that high quality ELO programs can benefit communities in a variety of ways:
- Help prevent juvenile crime
- Reduce high school dropout rates
- Reduce drug use
- Reduce teen pregnancy rates
Students who participate in these programs also experience other important benefits:
- They are often more excited about learning.
- The programs help prepare students for success in college.
- The programs help students gain workforce skills like teamwork, leadership and critical thinking.
Students are not the only ones to see a benefit from ELO programs. In Oklahoma, 73% of the state’s working parents agree that these programs help give them peace of mind about their children while they are at work. Moreover, 75% of those parents agree that these programs help them keep their jobs.
And since many children today are raised in families where caregiver(s) work, we continue to see a steady increase in the demand for these student programs. According to America After 3PM, 68,751 children (11%) in Oklahoma alone currently participate in an ELO program, yet 230,198 children (40%) would be enrolled if one were available to them. Therefore, it’s crucial we provide additional high quality ELO programs to communities across our state.
Baker, E.L.(2013). The Importance of Afterschool Programs in Education Reform Worldwide: Making It Essential in America. Washington, DC: Collaborative Communications Group, Inc.
Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy. Oklahoma Kids Count 2014 Data Book. Retrieved February 2016
The time students spend out of school is just as important as the time they spend in school. Our goal then, is to ensure the out-of-school time is spent as productively as possible and that students continue to learn and grow, even outside the traditional classroom.
The term “Afterschool” is often used interchangeably with “Out-of-school time” (OST). We define out-of-school time (OST) as all youth development programming that occurs beyond the traditional school day, including before school, after school, holiday breaks, weekends, summers and off days for districts with 4-day school weeks. Expanded Learning Opportunity (ELO) programs are structured to offer a wide range of learning and enrichment activities that promote the academic, physical, emotional and social development of all children and youth.
You may already be familiar with some of the programs supported by national organizations such as YMCA, Boys & Girls Clubs and 4-H. However, ELO programs also include the following resources:
• Licensed school-age child care centers
• Federally-funded 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC)
• School-based programs
• Faith-based programs
Licensed school-age child care centers Federally-funded 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) School-based programs Faith-based programs You may not realize that ELO programs can also include a variety of focused activities and learning opportunities for students:
• High school job shadowing/ intern programs
• Middle school leadership programs
• Clubs: science, arts, chess, writing, debate
• Service learning
• Project based learning projects
All of these programs assist in the development of the whole child’s growth and development. While the majority of programs are in the kindergarten through sixth grades, a growing need does exist for robust opportunities from seventh grade to one’s senior year in high school. Further, the students who participate in these programs come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences and all grade levels.
Students in today’s world face many challenges and threats, and ELO programs help address some of the critical issues students face. In 2014, 20% of Oklahoma’s children (approximately 130,367 children) were left alone and unsupervised for an average of 6.6 hours per week, which creates greater potential for these children to be at risk. Additionally, during the 2015-16 school year, 51 Oklahoma school districts implemented a 4 day school week, which means that even more students are left to fend for themselves while their parents work. Statistics from the Afterschool Alliance show that high quality ELO programs can benefit communities in a variety of ways:
- Help prevent juvenile crime
- Reduce high school dropout rates
- Reduce drug use
- Reduce teen pregnancy rates
Students who participate in these programs also experience other important benefits:
- They are often more excited about learning.
- The programs help prepare students for success in college.
- The programs help students gain workforce skills like teamwork, leadership and critical thinking.
Students are not the only ones to see a benefit from ELO programs. In Oklahoma, 73% of the state’s working parents agree that these programs help give them peace of mind about their children while they are at work. Moreover, 75% of those parents agree that these programs help them keep their jobs.
And since many children today are raised in families where caregiver(s) work, we continue to see a steady increase in the demand for these student programs. According to America After 3PM, 68,751 children (11%) in Oklahoma alone currently participate in an ELO program, yet 230,198 children (40%) would be enrolled if one were available to them. Therefore, it’s crucial we provide additional high quality ELO programs to communities across our state.
Baker, E.L.(2013). The Importance of Afterschool Programs in Education Reform Worldwide: Making It Essential in America. Washington, DC: Collaborative Communications Group, Inc.
Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy. Oklahoma Kids Count 2014 Data Book. Retrieved February 2016