NORTH HOLLYWOOD—State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson announced today that California leads the nation in after school programs, placing first among all states in a national survey released Thursday by the Afterschool Alliance.
“The good news is, because we have followed through on our long-term commitment to invest in our children, California has the largest network of after school programs in the country,” Torlakson said. “These programs are helping our children learn and stay safe after school, while helping working parents keep their jobs. The challenge is that many more children still need to be served.”
Torlakson celebrated California’s number one ranking with students, parents, community leaders, and advocates Thursday in a visit to the after school program at Roy Romer Middle School in North Hollywood.
The Alliance gave California its top ranking in the 2014 edition of its “America After 3PM ” survey, singling the state out for both strong participation among students and high satisfaction with after school programs among parents. It found that expanded learning participation in California had increased to 25 percent, compared to 19 percent in 2009, with more than 1.6 million students enrolled.
The survey also found that 92 percent of California parents were satisfied with the quality of care of their child’s after school program, up from 83 percent in 2009.
“Superintendent Torlakson has spearheaded efforts to make California number one in the nation,” said Afterschool Alliance Executive Director Jodi Grant. “He created a statewide after school initiative within the California Department of Education that has increased quality and access to after school programs across this state. California stands head and shoulders above the rest of the country, not only for the percentage of students it serves, but for its emphasis on making high-quality after school programs a state priority. From extraordinary STEM programs, to service learning, to its trailblazing literacy programming, California has done an amazing job with afterschool programs.”
The Alliance’s report also noted California’s work to emphasize the quality of programs, including Torlakson’s move to create an After School Division within the California Department of Education (CDE) and to develop a strategic plan to build on the state’s investments in expanded learning. The CDE also recently completed development of new Quality Standards for Expanded Learning programs.
A teacher and long-time track and cross-country coach, Torlakson has long been a champion of after school programs. Legislation he authored led to the creation and expansion of these programs.
California’s expanded learning programs today reach about 4,500 schools around the state. They are, in large part, funded through voter-approved Proposition 49, which guarantees $550 million annually for the state’s After School Education and Safety Program. California administers another $120 million in federal after school program funds.
For more information about expanded learning, visit the CDE After School Division’s California Expanded Learning Programs.
California After 3PM Fact Sheet Per http://www.afterschoolalliance.org
CALIFORNIA AFTER 3PM
America After 3PM surveyed parents in California to examine how children spend the hours between 3 and 6 p.m.—the hours after school ends and before parents typically return home from work. It highlights the trends in afterschool program participation, documents the benefits associated with participation in afterschool programs, and measures public support for afterschool programs.
America After 3PMrevealed that 1,661,374 children (25%) in California participate in an afterschool program, yet 2,435,254 children (49%) would be enrolled in a program if one were available to them.
With 90% of California’s parents satisfied with their child’s afterschool program and 80% agreeing that afterschool programs give working parents peace of mind, more work needs to be done to ensure that all children in California are able to take part in an afterschool program that keeps them safe, inspires learning and supports working parents.
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California Parents are Satisfied with their Child’s Afterschool Program
- 90% are satisfied with their child’s afterschool program overall.
- 90% are satisfied with their child’s afterschool program’s safe environment.
- 92% are satisfied with their child’s afterschool program’s quality of care.
- California parents cited as their top five reasons for selecting an afterschool program: their child enjoys the afterschool program (84%), the program is a safe haven (83%), knowledgeable and well-trained program staff (83%), location is convenient (83%) and quality of care (82%).
Afterschool Programs Provide a Wide Range of Benefits to California’s Children and Families
- 72% of parents agree that afterschool programs can help excite children about learning.
- 73% of parents agree that afterschool programs help children gain workforce skills, such as teamwork, leadership and critical thinking.
- 80% of California parents agree that afterschool programs can help reduce the likelihood that youth will engage in risky behaviors, such as commit a crime or use drugs, or become a teen parent.
- The top five activities California parents report are offered by their child’s afterschool program are homework assistance (81%), opportunities for physical activity (80%), opportunities for reading or writing (75%), STEM learning opportunities (74%) and academic programs/clubs (74%).
California Parents Support Public Funding for Afterschool Programs
- 86% of California parents support public funding for afterschool programs, while just 16% report receiving government assistance with the cost of their child’s program.
- 80% of California parents agree that afterschool programs help give working parents peace of mind about their children when they are at work.
- 82% of California parents agree that afterschool programs help working parents keep their jobs.
ABOUT THE SURVEY
The percentages and projected numbers of children and families in America After 3PM
are based on survey responses from parents. The Afterschool Alliance contracted with Shugoll Research to collect the data. Nationally, 30,720 households were screened, and 13,709 households completed in-depth interviews via an online survey using a blend of national consumer panels. At least 200 households completed interviews in every state and the District of Columbia, between Feb. 28 and April 17, 2014.
In California, 854 households and 4,189 children were screened for this study. Child-level statewide projections and total school enrollment numbers are based on 2011-2012 Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics. Total school enrollment for California is 6,672,185. For additional information about America After 3PM, visit: http://afterschoolalliance.org/AA3PM .
America After 3PM is funded by the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, The Wallace Foundation, the Ford Foundation and the Noyce Foundation, with additional support from the Heinz Endowments, The Robert Bowne Foundation and the Samueli Foundation
