Impact of an Afterschool Program on Protective Factors and Academic Achievement in an Alternative Education Setting

Background: The evidence is growing that where and how youth spend their time outside of the normal school hours has important implications for their social development. Despite recognizing after school programming as a key factor, few have studied the impact of after school programs at alternative education settings and on their students' protective factors and academic achievement. This study focused on a structured Afterschool Program facilitated in a district established for youth who have been unsuccessful in traditional school environments and are at the highest level of the continuum for high-risk youth. Methods: Data on 159 pre-and post-matched student surveys were used to examine self-report items on (1) protective factors on external assets, (2) skipping school, and (3) grades. Data on 163 students' credits earned were used to assess academic achievement on for Afterschool program participants. Results: Program participants reported significantly higher graders and significantly less skipping school after participating in the Afterschool program. Over half of the students reported high levels of caring relationships (52%) and high expectations (54%) with adults in the Afterschool program. Participants had a 26% gain in credits completed after participating in the Afterschool program when compared to baseline. Afterschool Program participants with higher dosage had nearly double the percentage increase in credits earned as compared to those with lower dosage (33% and 18%, respectively). Conclusion: Some general strategies to promote positive structured environments for youth will be shared.