Guest opinion
Americans want quality after-school programs
By Cathie Mostovoy

Americans voted for change in November, and we want them to invest in the future. Part of that investment is making quality after-school programs available to all children and families.

Voter frustration with the federal failure to provide for afterschool was evident in the results of a poll conducted for the Afterschool Alliance the night before and the night of the election.

An overwhelming majority of voters (82 percent) told pollsters that there should be "some type of organized activity or safe place for children and teens to go after school every day that provides opportunities to learn."

That support included 88 percent of Democrats, 84 percent of independents and 76 percent of Republicans.

Voters don't just support the idea; they want Congress to do something about funding it--72 percent of voters agreed that "our newly elected public officials in Congress should increase funding for after-school programs."

An almost identical number, 73 percent, said they want their newly elected state and local officials to provide more funds for after-school programs.

It's no surprise that afterschool programs are popular- they work. Parents, educators and kids recognize that after-school programs keep kids safe, help working families and inspire students to learn.

Independent evaluations of after-school programs demonstrate why they're a good investment. Study after study by respected research firms and academic institutions show that students who regularly attend afterschool programs do better during the regular school day than their counterparts who don't participate. Their attendance is more consistent, their behavior better, their grades higher.

Afterschool isn't a panacea and won't solve all the problems confronting public schools. But there's no question that it's part of the solution.

Unfortunately, too few kids have access to afterschool programs which is, in part, the result of the federal government's failure to live up to the funding commitments it made in the No Child Left Behind Act.

Instead of the slow, steady after-school funding increases that law provided for, after-school funding has been steadily eroding over the last few years, causing fewer programs and fewer hours.

Fewer openings for students leads to more kids home alone and at risk for crime, gang involvement, substance abuse and sexual activity after school ends and before parents return from work.

According to a household survey conducted for the Afterschool Alliance, just 12 percent of California's children are in afterschool programs, while 22 percent take care of themselves in the afternoons. The survey found that the parents of 37 percent of children not already in after-school programs would enroll them if one were available.

Elected officials should make after-school programs available for all kids who need them.

Reach Cathie Mostovoy of Afterschool Alliance at www.afterschoolalliance.org.