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Let’s face it: in the past, most after-school programs were basically babysitting with some time for homework. Even before reports showed students continue to feel the impact of the pandemic learning loss, we knew that our students need—and deserve—more.

In the edLeader Panel “More Than Homework Help: Transform After-School Learning for Your District,” Zachary Cruz, Director of Expanded Learning for the Los Banos Unified School District (CA), offered his strategies for developing and maintaining a successful program that enriches student learning.

1. Do your research with all involved constituents

Before altering or developing your after-school program, do an in-depth analysis of what you have now. Survey parents and faculty to find out how any current offerings are or aren’t meeting students’ needs. Have further conversations with staff to understand what specific challenges their students are facing and what type of enrichment they might need. Most important, make sure the building and district administration share and support your vision.

2. Expand learning beyond homework help

While there is certainly a place for assisting with homework, many students need enrichment that extends the classroom lessons and helps them work on their skills. High-impact tutoring, offering a structured, intensive, and purposeful approach, can provide that additional educational value.

3. Consider supplementing your staff with highly qualified tutors

High-impact tutoring requires engaged staff members who can provide meaningful instruction. Administrators need to be wary of burning out teachers, though, by using them in after-school programs. Moreover, it may be difficult to get the number of instructors needed.

Cruz suggests adding in a tutoring service that can provide one-on-one assistance. His district uses BookNook, which delivers live, research-based reading and math support. If you use an external service, Cruz says that constant communication is a necessity for success.

4. Make sure your program connects with the school at all levels

For example, any materials or services used to support student learning must align with the pedagogy used in the classroom materials and help students work towards the same competencies. After-school learning isn’t useful if it’s confusing students with conflicting methodologies and requirements. Set up a communications plan with classroom teachers before the program starts to ensure you are working in concert with them.

Similarly, your after-school program schedule should mirror the school schedule, whether it’s a day off, a shortened schedule, or another special day that could impact the program. You don’t want the same students to keep missing tutoring sessions or confuse staff with schedules that don’t match.

5. Conduct a pilot program

As with any new program, there will be challenges and successes. Rather than starting districtwide, Cruz suggests selecting a few schools (or even one) where you can discover what does and doesn’t work for your students. Then, apply those lessons across your district.

6. Develop guidelines for accepting students into the tutoring program

Ideally, tutoring and enrichment programs would be open to all students who want them. However, based on funding and staffing, you will probably need to limit the number of students who receive the specialized enrichment. Cruz works with his district staff to identify students who would benefit from the tutoring; teachers can also refer a student to the program.

7. Create encouraging workspaces

Rather than putting kids in a cafeteria or a large multipurpose room, Cruz suggests that when it’s time for students to do homework or take part in tutoring, they go to a regular classroom. This will help keep down distractions and provide students with the space they need to learn. For staffing, he’s worked with his district to offer paraprofessionals, as well as teachers, the opportunity to work in the after-school program. They help keep students on task, troubleshoot equipment, and talk with the tutors as needed.

8. Don’t make the program all about schoolwork

Just as teachers can burn out, so can students. In addition to homework help and tutoring sessions, after-school programs should include other physical and creative activities. The key is to make sure that all students are doing the same activities at the same time. Otherwise, a student doing homework might be thinking about his friends who are currently playing basketball.

Of course, students are more successful when they have support at home. Cruz says it’s essential to get parent buy-in before involving students in any tutoring program. In addition to educating parents, he actually has parents sign a commitment form. That way, they are equally invested in their child’s participation and outcomes.

Learn more about this edWeb broadcast, More Than Homework Help: Transform After-School Learning for Your District, sponsored by BookNook.

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Article by Stacey Pusey, based on this edLeader Panel