Case Study: Increasing Quality After-School Opportunities in Salem, Massachusetts

       

Case Study: Increasing Quality After-School Opportunities in Salem, Massachusetts Our community, economy, and democracy are stronger when we help all kids reach their full potential in education and advance their opportunities for career and life success. While Massachusetts is a nationwide leader in education, recent data shows that our state has not consistently provided all children with the necessary support to achieve their potential in education. For example, students from lower-income families and students of color are faring worse on achievement measures such as reading proficiency in the early grades. Effective after-school programs, that provide structured initiatives after class each day, have increased academic achievement and other key social, health, and wellness indicators for kids. Despite the benefits of after-school programs, there is significant unmet demand for these opportunities, with thousands of disadvantaged students in the Commonwealth unable to gain public support to attend. Communities across Massachusetts face challenges in helping all students, particularly disadvantaged youth, gain access to quality, affordable after-school opportunities. In our new case study, Increasing Quality After-School Opportunities in Salem, Massachusetts, we provide tailored guidance to the city of Salem. This includes evaluating Salem's current after-school landscape, compiling data from local providers, and applying lessons learned from efforts across the country.  Using the example of high-quality programs in Michigan, Rhode Island, and Tennessee, our study finds that it could cost between $1.5 million and $3.4 million to expand services to between 1,200 to 2,700 youth in Salem, depending on whether after-school is made universal or aimed to support lower-income families. There are numerous options for how Salem and other communities across the state can adapt the lessons of effective after-school expansion in their context. Recommendations from the case study -- including clear analysis of the existing landscape, a centralized network to coordinate efforts, common metrics for success, and consistent financial support -- have shown promise for improving the quality and availability of after-school opportunities. Read the full report here. The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts. MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET AND POLICY CENTER 1 STATE STREET, SUITE 1250 BOSTON, MA 02109

Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, 1 State Street, Suite 1250, Boston, MA 02109