Indicator: 68 - On-Site Before or After School Programming

Why This Is Important

School administrative units that offer on-site before and/or after school programming do
so often from a need expressed by parents in the community. This is in recognition of the
number of parents who work full-time and can benefit from a program that provides a safe
and nurturing environment for their children. These programs also respond to the “latch-key”
child who, because his/her parent(s) have to work, may often leave school to return to a
home without adult supervision. It is widely recognized that the time period immediately after
school hours is often when young people engage in risky behaviors in their community.

 

 

Where We Stand

There appeared to be a considerable decrease in the number of these extended day
opportunities from 1998 to 1999. There was no data available to describe the reasons
why this reduction occurred in Maine schools and communities. At this time, 2004, there
is no agreement on a single indicator for this outcome area. Additional developmental work
will occur for the 2005 report.

 

Data Sources and Context

The source for this data is the Maine Department of Education. The programs described
here are offered on the school site either before or after regular school hours. They may be administered by the school administrative unit or by a community-based organization, and
offer recreational and/or educationally related programming for the children and youth.