Resource Database

Photo of students outdoors reviewing a map together
The Illinois Quality Afterschool team has created this resource database to help you and your staff provide high-quality 21st CCLC programming. Browse or search the database to find the latest information on afterschool research, best practices, tools, conference proceedings, policy briefs, professional development tools, and activities.

Click on a topic or use the search box below to look for a listing:


There are 488 resources. Displaying 10 resources per page.

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Parent Communication Ideas

The National Afterschool Association has created a Pinterest Board featuring parent communication ideas. Pinterest is a pinboard-style photo-sharing website on which you can browse, save, and share ideas. The parent communication resources include ideas for parent resource centers, parent communication templates, and activities that parents can do with their student to support academic achievement.



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Topics
Family and Community Engagement
Messaging Resources

Every Hour Counts, formerly the Collaborative for Building After-School Systems, has developed a comprehensive set of messaging resources to help afterschool leaders discuss afterschool and other expanded-learning opportunities with stakeholders. They have resources to help afterschool professionals explain the role of expanded-learning in supporting student success, communicate about the impact of high-quality afterschool programs on attendance and graduation rates, academic performance, and social and emotional learning, and slides from a webinar addressing frequently asked questions about developing a message for your afterschool program.



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Family and Community Engagement
Early Warning Confirmed: A Research Update on Third-Grade Reading

This updated report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation underscores the importance of ensuring that children, especially those living in poverty or in impoverished communities, develop proficient reading skills by the end of third grade. The research in the report supports the link between reading deficiencies and broader social consequences, and it shows how low achievement in reading impacts an individual's future earning potential. The full report and an executive summary are both available on the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s website.



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Topics
Academic Enrichment
Family Guidebook Template

The U.S. Department of Education’s You for Youth team has collaborated with afterschool practitioners and leaders to develop a family guidebook template for 21st CCLC grantees. Creating a family guidebook offers a way for programs to inform families about policies and procedures, and it also helps families become more involved in afterschool activities. This template provides suggestions, in an outline form, of possible components to include in your program’s family guidebook.



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Family and Community Engagement
20 Ways To Use Twitter's Vine In Education

If you are looking for new ways to use technology in your afterschool program, check out the American Society for Innovation Design in Education’s blog. A recent post lists 20 ways that educators can use Vine-a mobile app that enables users to create and post 6-second clips-in education. Suggestions include applications for educators and projects for students.



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Topics
Technology
Ten Transition or Wait Time Games for School-Age Children

Did your students finish their writing activity 10 minutes early? Do you have some down time before the computer lab is available for your group? The National AfterSchool Association has some suggestions on transition or wait time activities to keep students busy. The activities vary in the amount of space and movement involved, allowing practitioners to find a game for just about every situation.



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Topics
Classroom Management
Urban High School Students' Experiences in an Afterschool College Readiness Program

This article examines urban students' experiences in Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP), an afterschool college readiness program. GEAR UP is a federally funded program designed to prepare low-income students to enter and succeed in postsecondary education. The article is based on interviews with 10 program participants. Themes that emerged among interviews include navigating the college system, expansion of career options, counseling relationship, personal insight, and future orientation. There is also a discussion of implications for school counselor preparation and practice.



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College and Career Readiness
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Structuring Out-of-School Time to Improve Academic Achievement

Published in 2009, this practice guide from the U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences provides five recommendations to help district and school administrators, out-of-school program providers, and educators design out-of-school time programs that will increase learning for students. It describes the research supporting each recommendation, how to carry them out, and how to address roadblocks that might arise in implementing them.



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Program Management
Show Me the Budget

Developed by ExpandED Schools by TASC, this video and accompanying one-page overview explains how a Brooklyn school added 3 more learning hours to the school day for 500 students each year. The video explores the costs and the funding sources that the school sought. In addition, the one pager provides an overview of challenges and recommendations for schools seeking to extend learning time.



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Program Management
After-School Data: Six Tip Sheets on What Cities Need to Know

This set of data sheets from the Wallace Foundation helps afterschool leaders and stakeholders use data more effectively. The first data sheet provides an overview on the use of data in afterschool. The remaining five offer information on using data for advocacy work, assessment and program improvement, accountability, identifying and addressing gaps in programming, and data-sharing strategies. The resource is designed for city agencies, afterschool program providers, intermediary organizations, and others.



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Topics
Program Management

There are 488 resources. Displaying 10 items per page.

Pages: 1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  21  22  23  24  25  26  27  28  29  30  31  32  33  34  35  36  37  38  39  40  41  42  43  44  45  46  47  48  49 

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Unexpected Careers in STEM

Did you know there are STEM jobs other than scientist, mathematician, and engineer? The National Air and Space Museum’s webcast STEM in 30 has released an episode titled "Unexpected Careers in STEM." This episode discusses how career interests such as writing or cooking can lead to a career in the aerospace industry....
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National Women’s History Museum Digital Classroom Resources

Are you looking to incorporate more diverse historical narratives into your curriculum? The National Women’s History Museum has curated several lesson plans, biographies, posters, and primary sources focused on female historical figures. Educators can use these resources to teach their students about renowned women such as Shirley Chisolm and events such as the 1977 National Women’s Conference....
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