Research On America Afterschool Programs In Primary And Secondary Schools

Recently, students of the elementary and secondary schools went home early while their parents are later, and because of this time gap, there are many more “key children”. Because of their parents working more hours, children have substantial free time(such as, before-school, afterschool, weekend and summer) besides the normal schooldays. To prevent and reduce the problem behaviors of children and youth in these time, America implement the Afterschool Programs mainly to offer enrichment learning opportunities for low-income children and children attending the low-performing schools, and then prove positive results and effects. This paper mainly demonstrates and reviews the development process of the Afterschool Programs of America to provide experiences for our country.This paper consists of five parts. The first part is the introduction, reviewing the research conditions both at home and abroad, and the intention and meaning of this paper.The second part is about the background and the development of the America Afterschool Programs. It’s urgent for government to put light on the afterschool education for the reason that the students of America have more problem behaviors after school, parents work pattern has changed and many families are in poverty. To help students having a safe place to go and learn, the government of America formally raised the 21 st century community learning center program in 1998 for the first time, it is the only federal fund source for the afterschool program, and then the afterschool programs received strong support.The third part introduces the basic information and implementation of America Afterschool Programs, including the participants, the staff members, the opening time, the content of the activities and the state of funding. Finally illustrate the current situations in some states of America, such as California, Hawaii and the District of Columbia.The fourth part tells about the characteristics, influences and challenges of America Afterschool Programs. The Afterschool Programs have positive effect on improving the students’ academic performance and behavior, and for families and social as well. But they also face some challenges.And the fifth part narrates what our country can draw on the experience of America Afterschool Programs, such as strengthening the policy and fund support for afterschool education, making the afterschool education goals clear and enriching the afterschool education content and type, building the communication system between schools, communities and families, and strengthening the afterschool study and assessment.