Student learning doesn't stop after the final bell. Educators and policy makers have begun to show increasing interest in programs designed for non-school hours, especially those designated for after school. A lot of emphasis has been placed on after-school programs for three primary reasons. First, attendance in after-school programs can provide children with supervision during a time when many might be exposed to or engaged in more antisocial and destructive behaviors. Second, after-school programs can provide enriching experiences that broaden children's perspective and improve their socialization. Third, and a more recent emphasis, after-school programs can perhaps help improve the academic achievement of students who are not accomplishing as much as they need to during regular school hours.

Did you know..

23% of Maine's K-12 youth are responsible for taking care of themselves.*

4,000 (5%) Maine teens are not in school and not working.*

Drop-out rates are as high as 27% with 6% as a state-wide average.*

Nearly 35% of the Maine K-12 youth in self-care would participate in an Afterschool Program if one were available. **

Maine is home to 209,676 youth ages 5 to 17. ** Investments in quality child care services reduce expenditures, increase the quality of life, and provide early development of Maine’s future workforce.  ***

79% of teens in afterschool programs are “A” or “B” students.  Teens not in afterschool programs are five times more likely to be “D” students. ┼

All 14 women in the Senate (including Maine’s Collins and Snowe) signed a bi-partisan letter to President Bush requesting more funding for 21st Century Community Learning Center’s to double the number of children served from 1.4 million to 2.8 million.  ┼┼

Adolescents who spend time in communities that are rich in developmental opportunities show evidence of higher rates of positive development. ┼┼

Afterschool programs complement environments created by schools and families, providing important components that promote success, growth, and development.  ┼┼

Nearly 5,298 of Maine's children participate in Maine's 21st Century Community Learning Centers program, which is the only federally-funded program dedicated Afterschool.