Continuous Program Quality Improvement, Summer Learning, and Training

Ongoing since 2005

Principal Investigator and Project Director: Georgia Hall, Ph.D.

Funderd by: Boston After School & Beyond

NIOST has served as a research and evaluation partner to Boston After School & Beyond since 2009. Collaboration with Boston After School & Beyond and Boston Public Schools and local community-based organizations has included the investigation of components of school CBO partnership afterschool programming and potential contributions to positive youth outcomes along with exploring how integrated approaches to summer learning, based on meeting the needs and interests of students, can advance student learning. NIOST with its partners has pursued multiple levels of investigation and utilized a menu of field-tested tools to gather extensive data to inform the continued development and sustainability of the Boston Summer Learning Project and school-year OST programs. Research methods have included program observation (using the APT), youth survey data collection, interviews, focus groups, and collection of school level data. Summer learning investigation included five programs in 2009 growing to 130 programs in 2017. NIOST, with its partners, is currently engaged in a training initiative focused on developing a cadre of trained program quality observers (partner program staff) using the APT to continue to build high quality program practices and experiences for children and older youth.

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  • PEOPLE ARE SAYING

    "NIOST has been an anchor for numerous school age care projects we do, including ASQ (After-School Quality) and Links to Learning. They are a nationally respected organization that Pennsylvania has partnered with for over 20 years."



    – Betsy O. Saatman, TA Specialist/SAC Initiatives, Pennsylvania Key
  • PEOPLE ARE SAYING

    "NIOST was a core partner in supporting the development of quality improvement systems across the nine cities that participated in The Wallace Foundation Next Generation Afterschool System-Building Initiative. The NIOST team worked well with other technical assistance partners in the initiative, always willing to pitch in and collaborate with others to make our professional learning community meetings a team effort. I truly hope the Foundation has an opportunity to partner with them in the future."


    – Priscilla M. Little, Initiative Manager, The Wallace Foundation

  • PEOPLE ARE SAYING

    "NIOST has been a leader in the out-of-school time field for as long as I can remember, and I have relied on their research, tools, and advice to improve my practice throughout my career. Their staff members are good partners and good listeners, and their influence across the country is palpable."


    – Jane Quinn, Vice President and Director of National Center for Community Schools, Children's Aid Society
  • PEOPLE ARE SAYING

    "Georgia Hall, Ellen Gannett, and the NIOST team have been instrumental in driving the healthy afterschool movement. Their dedication to quality practice, informed policy, and collective impact is instrumental in our effort to create healthier communities."



    – Daniel W. Hatcher, Director, Community Partnerships, Alliance for a Healthier Generation

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The National Institute on Out-of-School Time

A program of the Wellesley Centers for Women at Wellesley College

Wellesley Centers for Women
Wellesley College
106 Central Street
Wellesley, MA 02481-8203 USA

niost@wellesley.edu
781.283.2547
Directions to NIOST