Reshaping Out-of-School Time

Reframing Afterschool Expectations

Reframing Afterschool Resources

Out-of-School Time Initiative

Reframing Expectations of Afterschool Programs Initiative

PASE, in collaboration with Dr. Robert Halpern of the Erikson Institute in Chicago, the Booth Ferris and Altman Foundations, and leading researchers, evaluators, and practitioners across the country, has embarked on a multi-year and multi-tiered project to ensure that the expectations and outcomes we hold for afterschool programs are properly focused on the developmental needs of young people and are matched to the opportunities that afterschool programs are uniquely positioned to offer.

In summer 2004, PASE commissioned a paper by Dr. Halpern to serve as a launching point for the project. In his paper, “Confronting the Big Lie: The Need to Reframe Expectations of Afterschool Programs,” Dr. Halpern examines the trend toward aligning afterschool programs with academic achievement, arguing the need to abandon this path and instead focus on developing expectations for afterschool programs based on the examination of the field as a “historically distinct child development institution” and as a “normative developmental support.” He argues, “afterschool programs are well-suited to providing the types and qualities of developmental experiences that other institutions (i.e. the schools and public play spaces) can no longer provide most low- and moderate-income children.”

In February 2005, PASE convened a group of national leaders in the field to discuss Dr. Halpern's paper and the questions it raised about the state of the field. During the two days, researchers, evaluators, funders and practitioners were able to share concerns from their unique points of view about how to balance the need for intense research and planning in this area without jeopardizing the crucial work that is currently be conducted and evaluated. From this energizing two-day working session, a working group (see attached list of members) was established to continue the work outlined by this larger national group.

Since that time, PASE and the Reframing Expectations Working Group have donated much time and energy to this project, developing and working towards the following three recommendations:

1. Research – Identifying and agreeing on appropriate expectations and outcomes for afterschool programs;
2. Communications – Developing a communications strategy to frame these newly identified expectations and outcomes and to build a constituency;
3. Policy – Identifying needed changes in policies and funding guidelines.

Read Dr. Robert Halpern's Article, The Big Lie: Reframing Expectations of Afterschool Programs.

Visit PASE's Reframing Afterschool Expectations Site

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