A 1994 survey of parents found that 56 percent think that many parents leave their children alone too much after school. Youth are at greatest risk of violence after the regular school day. Organized activities help children resist unsafe behaviors and enhance learning. After-school and summer programs can offer the support and supervision children need in order to learn and to resist the influences of unsafe or violent behaviors. Children in quality programs do better in school.
Research indicates that program quality is very important.
Students have more positive interactions with staff when student to staff ratios are low, staff are well-trained, and a wide variety of activities are offered. Students in quality programs may have better peer relations and better grades and conduct in school than their peers in other care arrangements. Teachers and principals are recognizing the positive effects of good quality programs on their students. The Cooperative Extension Service found that in programs that had received their assistance, teachers reported that the programs helped the children to become more cooperative, handle conflicts better, develop an interest in recreational reading, and earn better grades. More than one-third of the school principals stated that vandalism in the school decreased as a result of the programs.