For Immediate Release: March 16, 2015
WELLESLEY, MA – The newest edition of Afterschool Matters, the national, peer-reviewed journal dedicated to promoting professionalism, scholarship, and consciousness in the field of afterschool education, is focused on new research and frameworks that can help shape several different areas of afterschool programming. This edition looks at Girl Scouts and out-of-school-time (OST) programs, how OST programs can empower boys and young men of color, youth-organizing approaches for immigrant youth of color, new framework to support science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) learning standards, new afterschool programs for high school youth, and new framework for afterschool professional development.
“As summer learning programs continue to mature, more rigorous data will help us understand how a blended academic and enrichment summer learning program can contribute to student achievement,” said Georgia Hall, Ph.D., senior research scientist at the National Institute on Out-of-School Time (NIOST) at the Wellesley Centers for Women (WCW), managing editor of the journal. “This issue of Afterschool Matters points to the diverse population of children and youth served in summer and school year out-of-school programs. It highlights our collective task of creating challenge, upholding equity, remembering culture, and honoring youth voice and choice in everything we do.”
Articles included in the current issue include “Girls’ Challenge Seeking: How Outdoor Exposure Can Support Girls in Taking Positive Risks,” “Toward More Equitable Outcomes: A Research Synthesis on Out-of-School Time Work with Boys and Young Men of Color,” “Global Kids Organizing in the Global City: Generation of Social Capital in a Youth Organizing Program,” “Should Rey Mysterio Drink Gatorade? Cultural Competence in Afterschool STEM Programming,” “Research-Based Practices in Afterschool Programs for High School Youth,” and “Planning considerations for Afterschool Professional Development.”
Since 1979, the National Institute on Out-of-School Time has been dedicated to moving the afterschool field forward through its research, education and training, consultation, and field-building. Much of NIOST’s work has encompassed projects of national scope and influence, several representing “firsts” for the field and many focusing on building out-of-school time systems. NIOST is a program of the Wellesley Centers for Women where scholars work to advance gender equality, social justice and human wellbeing. We shape a better world for women and girls, families and communities through our innovative research, theory, and action.
More information about Afterschool Matters, including links to current and past issues of the journal, is available at www.niost.org/Publications/afterschool-matters-journal.
