In addition to the changing demographics in the United States, there are several new reasons for developing quality after-school programs. First, the after-school hours are becoming an increasingly dangerous time for many of our students. Parents are faced with rising fears about the health and safety risks of unsupervised children.
Children are also at greater risk of being victims of a crime during the hours after school.
Besides documenting the number of children left unsupervised and unchallenged after school, researchers have demonstrated that this group is at risk in a wide variety of areas. Beyond issues of safety are the rewards that students and their communities can reap as a result of quality after-school programs. With rapid changes in technology there is a growing interest in supplementing the traditional school day with a variety of social and educational activities that enhance children's development. Indeed, quality after-school programs should be viewed as an opportunity to add to the knowledge and skills students are already cultivating, rather than just an obligation to occupy their time. Email Webmaster Tel.