The Impact of After-School Programs

After-school programs are a cost-effective federal investment.

The Washington State Institute for Public Policy

• The Washington State Institute for Public Policy finds that effective after-school programs can yield a benefit-to-cost ratio to taxpayers and crime victims of $1.87 to $5.29 for every dollar spent.[1]  

Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence

• The Quantum Opportunities after-school program produced $3 in benefits for every $1 spent, without even counting the savings from an 85% drop in crime by boys in the program. 

Rose Institute

• The Rose Institute finds that quality after-school programs can reduce costs related to welfare, crime, and education (remediation services and grade repetition) for an average net benefit of between $79,484 and $119,427 per participant.[2]

       After-school programs help kids achieve in school.

Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence

• Participation in the Quantum Opportunities Program led to higher rates of graduation: 63% of QOP participants graduated high school compared to 42% of the control group.[3]

Gansk & Associates

• Gains in standardized test scores in reading and math were greater for students participating in Foundations after-school programs than for comparable students, according to a study of 19 elementary schools in five states.[4]

 UCLA Center for the Study of Evaluation

• In the initial year of study, LA’s BEST students began with math achievement scores that were significantly lower than non-participants. After long-term participation in the after-school program, these students increased their test scores to be comparable to their peers.[5] 

Mathematica, Inc.

• After participating in the 21^st Century Community Learning Centers program, black and Hispanic students reduced tardiness to class and increased math scores compared to non-participants.[6]

 National Research Council

• Students who reported spending no time in a school-sponsored activity (after school) versus students spending 1-4 hours in such activities were 57 percent more likely to have dropped out before reaching the 12^th grade.[7]

After-school programs keep kids safe and out of trouble while parents work.

Department of Justice

• Juvenile violent crime peaks between 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., the hour after school ends.[8]

• The violent victimization of juveniles peaks at 3:00 p.m. Juveniles are at the highest risk of being victimized before 6:00 p.m.[9]

Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence

• Participation in the Quantum Opportunities Program led to fewer arrests among participants: 19% of QOP members were arrested compared to 23% of the control group.[10]

 National Research Council

• Students with a high level of participation are less likely than non-participants to engage in problem behavior, such as being arrested, taking drugs, engaging in teen sex, smoking, and drinking.[11]

UCLA Center for the Study of Evaluation

• Parents and students find the safety of the after-school program far superior to the safety within the neighborhood.[12]

 After-school programs receive widespread public support.

According to a nationwide survey of 800 registered voters in August of 2002:

• Nine in ten voters believe there is a need for children to have some type of organized activity or a place to go after school that provides opportunities to learn.[13] 

• Ninety-five percent of parents with children in after-school programs believe that their children are “safer and less likely to be involved in juvenile crime than children who are not in after-school programs.”[14]

Learn More About:

• Overall Impact of After-school Programs on Children and Youth

• Why Children and Youth Need Camp Fire USA's After-School Programs

• Why Dallas Needs Quality After-School Programs