The disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic produced new challenges for students and schools. Many students missed out on academic content and faced social isolation during remote learning. After-school activities may be one option for assisting students and providing educational or social-emotional support as they recover lost ground. But the challenges of the pandemic—ranging from staffing issues to economic turmoil— might impact the capacity of after-school programs to offer services.
To assess the current state of after-school programs, the EdWeek Research Center conducted a nationally representative survey of school principals and after-school employees between May and June of 2022. The survey examined the types of activities that programs provide, perceptions of pandemic-related changes, and hiring or retention difficulties. This report highlights survey findings.
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A student juggles a soccer ball on a playground at Washington Elementary School in Lynwood, Calif. Schools and outside organizations are struggling to find workers to oversee after-school programs, which provide crucial opportunities for social-emotional support and homework help for students.
Coverage of afterschool learning opportunities is supported in part by a grant from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, at www.mott.org. Education Week retains sole editorial control over the content of this coverage.
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