Exploring the Concept of Balanced Programming in After-School Volume 4, No. Of course, within this framework each program will look different, depending on the resources and backgrounds of staff, needs and interests of children and families, community priorities and a host of other factors. It should offer children opportunities to be successful, to practice and develop skills and to learn new things. Balanced curriculum is present in a program when there is wide exposure to the content and possibilities of many new experiences and knowledge. After-school programs can provide kids exposure to neat and interesting experiences less available to them in the rest of their lives.
Many programs use both approaches to attaining balance.
The education reform agenda is bumping up against the child and youth development framework. Schools are increasingly being asked to evaluate their progress, effectiveness and ability against measurable gains in test scores and to be held accountable for these gains. This process is having a broad and significant influence on after-school programs. We expect to see varying levels of success as programs attempt to more deeply integrate academic subjects like math, science and reading while at the same time, striving to meet the physical, social and emotional needs of children. The successful programs will be the ones with well trained and supported staff who are aware of what is being taught in school and still understand the developmental needs of the young people with whom they work.