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.