Studies have shown that the vast majority of juvenile crime occurs between the hours of 3 and 6 p.m. the period between the end of the regular school day and the conclusion of the workday of most students' parents. Many school districts are finding the traditional school day inadequate to accommodate all the demands of the new achievement standards, leading them increasingly to view after-school programs as a necessity.
Proponents say the programs help improve the academic performance and social behavior of students.
The program serves 40 2nd graders, identified by their teachers as being in need of extra help, by pairing them with an equal number of 5th graders to work on reading and writing. Twenty pairs of students stay on Mondays and Wednesdays and the other pairs stay on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school. Wild said the program has helped 2nd graders improve their reading and writing abilities, and has also improved the citizenship and leadership skills of the 5th graders who take great pride in their role as mentors to the younger students. Aside from minor difficulties in arranging transportation, finding extra classroom space, and completing extra paperwork, there have been no drawbacks. The children love to come, and it only benefits them.