Massachusetts Department of Education
To Do Our “New Job” Right, We Must Improve Before and After School Care
- Acting Education Commissioner Jeffrey Nellhaus
Educators across the Commonwealth have been challenged by Board of Education Chairman Paul Reville to tackle a “new job”. Moving all students to proficiency by moving beyond the traditional boundaries of our public schools.
This calls for us all to think about public education differently, and to consider ways to better integrate early childhood education, human and social services, longer school days and before- and after-school programming in the larger picture.
A dialogue has begun about the critical need for more after-school and out-of-school time programming, but strong actions must be taken to bring about the changes needed for us to realize our goals. According to Rep. Marie St. Fleur and Sen. Thomas McGee, co-chairs of the Special Legislative Commission on After School and Out of School Time, while most students would benefit from these programs, just 20 percent of enrolled children currently participate. The two legislators spoke to the Board in December and stressed the need to increase the access and quality of these programs.
The Department of Education and Board of Education are both fully committed to this goal. The Board’s FY09 expansion budget request includes $14 million for the state’s After-School and Out-of School Time Quality (ASOST) Grant, up from just $2 million this fiscal year. The state grant aims to bolster the quality of programs in public, private and parochial schools, as well as community-based organizations through partnerships, professional development, and ongoing collaboration. The ASOST grant program, in coordination with the federal 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant, promotes strong public-private partnerships as a vehicle for sustaining varied opportunities that meet the needs of children and youth.
In addition, the Department works with the Departments of Early Education and Care and Public Health, as well as other state and local agencies and organizations, on after-school and out-of-school time matters to maximize resources and coordinate on policies and best practices.
Academic "gateway" skills are essential, but we all know that children need a well-rounded education program that goes beyond core subjects. The arts, physical activity, and comprehensive health education must be a part of every child's education experience. Also, some children need other supports to address their social, emotional and mental health needs. Before- and after-school programs operated by agencies and community-based organizations in partnership with the public schools play a vital role in supporting the healthy development of children and youth so that they may reach their full potential.