Youth Programs Out of School Time Youth Development and Enrichment Programs work with students, parents, SPPS staff and community organizations to support academics, teach civic responsibility and provide high quality enrichment opportunities. National research studies show that as programs encourage participants to discover their interests and develop their talents, they have the power to change lives through... •
Increased academic achievement and greater engagement in learning - U.S. Department of Education, Mid-Continent Research for Education and Learning
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Increased school attendance - National Institute on Out of School Time, U.S. Department of Education
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Better connection to school and community - Search Institute, National Research Council and Institute of Medicine
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Reduced risk-taking behaviors - Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, National Institute on Out-of-School Time
Service Learning is a method of teaching and learning that connects classroom lessons with meaningful service to the community. Our Service Learning Program promotes this teaching method and provides support to teachers and staff throughout the Saint Paul Public School District to develop and implement service learning projects. These projects bring learning to life, improving academic achievement while meeting real community needs. This effective teacher training and coaching leads to engaged learning, increased civic responsibility and strengthened communities. In 2011-2012:
9,817 students
from
56 schools
completed
18 projects
21st Century Community Learning Centers (21CCLC) is a federally funded grant program and a key component of the No Child Left Behind Act. It provides a free opportunity for middle school students at eight sites to improve academic skills and discover new abilities after school. In 2011-2012, 3,295 students participated in 900 sessions. In a 2007 study by the University of Minnesota with our 21CCLC program, data showed that a regularly attending students (30 or more days in 21CCLC) attended school, on average, five days more than a non-participating students. 160 days in school
165 days in school
Discovery Club School-Age Child Care Discovery Club is a school-age care program serving families before school, after school and on nonschool days (including summer). Discovery Club staff plan engaging activities for students in Kindergarten - 5th grade that build upon school day learning. This informal learning model complements children’s academic experience by supporting social emotional development and working on interpersonal skills, like showing empathy and problem solving. In 2012:
1,503
students
participated in Discovery Club at
12 school sites
Several studies have found that school-age children’s academic performance is enhanced by attending a formal child care programs (Childrens Defense Fund). Academic outcomes associated with participation in after school programs include: Better attitudes toward school Higher school attendance rates and less tardiness Less disciplinary action (e.g. suspension) Lower dropout rates Better performance in school, as measured by achievement test scores and grades Greater on-time promotion Improved homework completion Engagement in learning Social/emotional outcomes associated with participation in after school programs include: Decreased behavioral problems Improved communication skills and relationships with others (peers, parents, teachers) Increased self-confidence, self-esteem, and self-efficacy Lower rates of depression and anxiety Development of initiative Improved feelings and attitudes toward self and school Source: Harvard Family Research Project - After School Programs in the 21st Century:Their Potential and What it Takes to Achieve It Issues and Opportunities in Out-Of-School Time Evaluation
Early Childhood Family Education ECFE offers parent education on the basis that the family provides a child’s first and most important learning environment and parents are a child’s most important teacher. Our classes help strengthen families and enhance the ability of all parents to provide the best possible environment for the healthy growth and development of their children. 2012 was the first year in many that ECFE did not experience a budget reduction, which allowed us to add a Family Literacy class at Roosevelt Homes and adjust and expand some of our culturally responsive programming to better fit demographic changes in the community. ECFE employs multilingual home visitors as a service for families and provides language-specific classes in:
Hmong Karen Somali
Spanish
Also in 2012, Saint Paul and 19 other ECFE programs statewide participated in a parent evaluation of the program (facilitated by the University of Minnesota). Results conclusively show that attending ECFE helps parents improve their parenting practices. In the survey: 97%
of parents agree that ECFE has helped them improve their parenting, specifically with Resources, Awareness, Understanding Temperament, Child Learning and Fit
The survey also demonstrated significant improvement of children’s development in Problem Solving, Communication and Social Skills.
Saint Paul Public Schools Community Education Annual Report 2012