Afterschool programs in funding jeopardy
This open letter was written by Jodi Grant, executive director of the nonprofit Afterschool Alliance, a nonprofit organization that works to ensure that all children have access to affordable, quality afterschool programs. Grant writes about the danger that afterschool programs now face because of a move to shift federal money currently spent on these programs to extend the school day. That may seem like sound policy, but it isn't. Research doesn't support the notion that kids automatically learn more if they sit longer in a classroom each day. Quality after school programs that engage kids in learning in ways different from the regular classroom experience have been shown to work wonders. By Jodi Grant Today, more than 7,500 communities across America will celebrate the afterschool programs that keep kids safe, inspire them to learn and help working families. Afterschool programs are an innovative, yet practical and proven way to expand
