UCI report supports after-school program
Gov. Gray Davis has proposed increased funding for a statewide
after-school program based on a favorable report from UC Irvine.
Researchers in the school’s Department of Education studied the After
School Learning and Safe Neighborhoods Partnerships Program and found it
had a positive influence on students.
The report, released Friday, prompted Davis to recommend expanding the
program to serve an additional 79,000 children.
“The study shows improved test scores in reading and math, better
school attendance and better behavior among participating students,”
Davis said Friday.
Joan Bissell, vice chair of the UCI Department of Education, led the
study using a variety of assessment data, including Stanford 9 reading
and math test scores and the students’ duration in the program.
The after-school program studied is a 15-hour per week program that
focuses on academic and enrichment activities, Bissell said.
One of the most important findings was that 4.2% of the students who
scored in the lowest quartile on the Stanford 9 -- who were most at-risk
of being held back a grade -- tested at a higher level after being in the
program.
“That is so significant because being retained has adverse effects on
children -- psychological and social effects -- and it has not been shown
to foster student’s performance,” Bissell said.
In the 2002-03 budget, Davis increased funding for before- and
after-school programs by $75 million, bringing the total funding to
$162.8 million.
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