Regular Participation and Program Quality Are Key
Youth who participate frequently and regularly in out-of-school time programs show the greatest gains.xv As shown on the left, in 2013, 4,394 youth participated regularly (more than 30 days each year) in a 21st CCLC program, with approximately half of those youth attending more than 60 days a year.
Rhode Island’s 21st CCLC supports high-quality programs. As seen on the right, all 21st CCLC programs in Rhode Island use a program quality assessment tool that continuously promotes and ensures that programs provide safe and supportive environments for youth that nurture engagement and positive interactions between youth and adults. National research shows that regular participation in high-quality programs lead to increased youth outcomes.xvi
Note: The program quality data displayed for the 21st CCLC sites represents the most recent year of data available for each site and averages together all observations for that year. Observations are not random and are frequently scheduled for sites as a way of focusing on known issues.
xv Pierce, K. M., Bolt, D. M., & Vandell, D. L. (2010). Specific features of after-school program quality: Associations with children’s functioning in middle childhood. American Journal of Community Psychology, 45, 381–393.
xvi Eccles & Gootman, 2002
