The Study of Promising After-School Programs, Deborah Lowe Vandell

Dr. Deborah Lowe Vandell's study has found that regular participation in high-quality afterschool programs is linked to positive outcomes for children and youth. School administrators and educators will see how the effects of high-quality afterschool learning opportunities can be greater on math scores than reducing class sizes.

After School Programs in the 21st Century: Their Potential and What It Takes to Achieve It, Priscilla M. D. Little, Christopher Wimer, and Heather B. Weiss

This study outlines the multiple benefits high-quality afterschool programs can provide children and youth. The benefits range from social, cognitive, health and wellness as well as academic.

The Impact of After-School Programs that Promote Personal and Social Skills, Joseph A. Durlak and Roger P. Weissberg

A meta-analysis of after-school programs (ASPs) that seek to enhance the personal and social development of children and adolescents indicated that youth improved in three general areas: feelings and attitudes, indicators of behavioral adjustment, and school performance.

National Partnership for Quality Afterschool Learning

The National Partnership for Quality Afterschool Learning helps state education agencies and local practitioners develop high-quality, balanced programs that provide a safe and fun environment for academic enrichment as well as youth development activities.

Measuring Youth Program Quality: A Guide to Assessment Tools, March 2007
Forum for Youth Investment & Impact Strategies, Inc.

This guide compares the purpose, structure, content and technical properties of several youth program quality assessment tools. This guide would assist practitioners explore program quality assessment tools and inform policy, research and funding decisions.
Full Report
Executive summary

Assessment of Afterschool Program Practices Tools (APT)

Developed by National Institute of Out-of-School Time (NIOST) and the Massachusetts Department of Education
www.doe.mass.edu/21cclc/ta

Out-of-School Tim Observation Tool (OST)

Developed by Policy Studies Associates, Inc.
http://www.policystudies.com/studies/youth/OST%20Instrument.html

Program Observation Tool (POT)

Developed by National AfterSchool Association
www.naaweb.org/accreditation.html

Program Quality Observation (PQA)

Developed by Deborah Lowe Vandell and Kim Pierce
www.gse.uci.edu/childcare/form4.html

Program Quality Self-Assessment Tool (QSA)

Developed by New York State Network
www.nysan.org

Promising Practices Rating Scale (PPRS)

Developed by Wisconsin Center for Education Research & Policy Studies Associates, Inc.
http://www.gse.uci.edu/childcare/pdf/pp/observation_manual_spring_2005.pdf (PDF)

Quality Assurance System™ (QAS)

Developed by Foundations, Inc.
http://qas.foundationsinc.org/start.asp?st+1

School-Age Care Environmental Rating Scale (SACERS)

Developed by Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute & Concordia University, Montreal
www.fpg.unc.edu/~ecers/

Youth Program Quality Assessment (YPQA)

Developed by High/Scope Educational Research Foundation
http://secure.highscope.org/Content.asp?ContentId=26

Out-of-School Time Evaluation Snapshots: Measurement Tools for Evaluating Out-of-School Time Programs - An Evaluation Resource

Developed by the Harvard Family Research Project, Harvard Graduate School of Education - As part of their continuing effort to help practitioners and evaluators choose appropriate evaluation methods, this Snapshot describes instruments and tools that you can obtain and use for on-the-ground program evaluation.
http://www.hfrp.org/publications-resources/publications-series/out-of-school-time-evaluation-snapshots/measurement-tools-for-evaluating-out-of-school-time-programs-an-evaluation-resource