Beth Weitzman discussed her research on the need and demand for after-school programs. Weitzman argues there is confusion about need and demand among policymakers and providers and that this confusion has led to poorly planned and poorly targeted services. Weitzman pointed out that despite calls for expansion, many programs operate below capacity. Weitzman analyzed survey data from parents in five cities participating in the Urban Health Initiative and found that poor participation and dissatisfaction were strongly associated with lower socio-economic status. Moreover, many parents prefer to have their children at home. Finally, convenience and programming were found to be more significant barriers to participation than cost.
Beth Weitzman, If you build it, will they come? Estimating unmet demand for after-school programs in America’s distressed cities
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Denise Huang presented results of a study how LA's BEST, a nonprofit after-school organization providing services for at-risk students, leverages the organizational, social, and intellectual capitals to enhance student engagement. Huang conducted interviews and focus groups with program staff and participants, day school personnel, parents, and community members at six LA's Best sites. Huang found that in leveraging their intellectual, social, and organizational capitals, LA's BEST has provided an important level of support for its youth participants. In addition, LA's BEST has realized that fostering and maintaining social capital is a continuous task calling for the efforts of "communities of practice." Huang concluded by describing specific practices that have helped to foster communities of practice at LA's Best, including: a) establishing cross-function teams, b) creating a direct link between learning and performance, c) making connections across organizational and geographic boundaries, and d) leveraging capitals to foster student resiliency.
Denise Huang, Leveraging Social Capitals: an After-School Perspective
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Denise Huang, et al: Exploring the Intellectual, Social and Organizational Capitals at LA's BEST
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