Out of School Time

Out of school time programs have also proved effective in reducing adolescents’ abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana. Research from the American Youth Policy Forum (AYPF) reports that OST programming is associated with increases in academic achievement, school attendance, extracurricular activities, overall positive student behavior, stronger self-image, positive social development, and reductions in risk-taking behavior (Anderson-Butcher, Newsome, & Ferrari, 2003). 40% of Colorado middle school children in working families are unsupervised in the afternoons during the after school hours between 3p.m. and 6p.m; the peak hours for juvenile crime and experimentation with drugs, alcohol, cigarettes and sex. (Afterschool Alliance Issue overview and study on Colorado “latchkey children”). By providing positive evidence-based after school programs, we can reduce the negative behaviors in the lives of young people, while promoting positive choices.

1. The after school hours between 3p.m. and 6p.m are the peak hours for juvenile crime and experimentation with drugs, alcohol, cigarettes and sex.

2. After school and out of school programming reduce negative risk taking behaviors.

3. After school and out of school programming promote positive choices and are linked with increases in positive student behavior.