RI's Out-of-School Time Programs

Out-of-School Time Participation in Rhode Island

According to the 2014 America After 3pm survey, of Rhode Island’s school-aged children, only 34,704 (22%) participate in afterschool programs. In fact, in 2014, 27,062 children were alone and unsupervised during the hours after school. While participation in afterschool programs has increased from 19% in 2009 to 22% in 2014, Rhode Island still has ways to go.^xi In many communities, access to high-quality and affordable afterschool programs remains limited. Approximately 50% of programs included in RIASPA’s map offer out-of-school time programs for free; however, space in these programs is limited due to lack of funding. On average, Rhode Island families spend $96 per week for afterschool programs.^xii

Lack of access to high-quality and affordable out-of-school time programs widens the opportunity gap.^xiii In 2014, RIDE’s 21st CCLC provided $5,631,913 in funding to 59 centers in high-poverty schools, supporting access to high-quality and affordable afterschool and summer programming. While there are 56,113 students in Rhode Island who are eligible to participate in 21st CCLC programs, only 13,631 students participated in 2012-2013. Currently, there is no state funding source for out-of-school time programs in Rhode Island.

ⁱAfterschool Alliance, 2014, America After 3pm: Rhode Island, Number of youth participating in afterschool programs in Rhode Island.
ⁱⁱ Afterschool Alliance, 2014, America After 3pm: Rhode Island, Rhode Island Department of Education, Total school enrollment for Rhode Island, 2011-2012
ⁱⁱⁱ Afterschool Alliance, 2010, Rhode Island After 3pm Special Report on Summer, Estimated Number of Kids Participating in Summer Learning Programs based on a survey.
^iv Afterschool Alliance, 2014, America After 3pm: Rhode Island, Rhode Island Department of Education, Total school enrollment for Rhode Island, 2011-2012
^v RI Department of Education, Office of Student, Community and Academic Supports, 2013, Number of Student Participating in Programs Funded by 21st CCLC in Summer 2012 and 2012-2013 School Year.
^vi Afterschool Alliance, 2014, Afterschool by the Numbers in Rhode Island. Number of Children Eligible to Participate in 21st CCLC.
^vii United Way of Rhode Island, Hasbro Summer Learning Initiative, 2013, Number of Students Participating in HSLI Programs in Rhode Island.
^viii RI Department of Education, 2013, Number of Children Attending Schools with an HSLI Program who Meet Eligibility Requirements for Age.
^ix Providence After School Alliance, 2014, Number of Youth Served by PASA Initiatives (The Hub, Summer Scholars, and AfterZone) in the 2013-2014 School Year and 2014 Summer.
^x RI Department of Education, 2014, Number of Students Attending Schools where PASA Offers Programming, Retrieved from: Infoworks.ride.ri.gov
^xi Afterschool Alliance (2014). America After 3pm: Rhode Island. Retrieved from: http://afterschoolalliance.org/AA3PM/detail.html#s/RI/demand/p_of_children_in_programs_2014
^xii Ibid.
^xiii Ibid.