Outside the School Day Programs in High Poverty Elementary Schools
Graduation Date
Spring 2006
Document Type
Master's Thesis
Document Form
Degree Name
Master of Science
Program Name
Education
Program Director
Madalienne F. Peters, EdD
Abstract
In an effort to locate successful outside the school time programs, this study identified thirty-two top performing schools in fifth-grade and sixth-grade math and English-language arts in California. These schools were similar demographically to the researcher’s school, Burns Valley Elementary School in Clearlake, California. Burns Valley Elementary School consists of a 91.1% economically disadvantaged student population and their English Language Learner population has almost doubled in the last three years to 14.2%. The selected schools were asked questions regarding their after school programs, communication and assessment in regards to the programs and teacher incentives offered for participation. Thirteen schools responded to the survey through emails and phone conversations. Eleven of these schools provide OST (Outside the School Time) programs and two do not. Schools are able to provide academic support in a unique way that is successful at their individual school sites. All schools have made attempts to reward their staff for participating, most through a flat rate hourly wage. All schools were communicating at some level regarding the students receiving the additional assistance and what is going on in the program; most of this communication takes place informally. All schools expressed respect and support for their staff and administration.