Supporting access to high-quality and affordable afterschool and summer programs for all children, youth and families in Massachusetts through advocacy and professional development.
Evidence, research, and data
Evidence shows that afterschool and summer programs support the academic growth and well-being of children and youth. MAP shares evidence-based best practices to support staff learning and gathers data on program needs and quality.
Professional Development
MAP provides free and affordable professional development opportunities for out-of-school time professionals on topics responsive to the needs of the field.
Advocacy and Policy
MAP leverages our relationships with policymakers to advance policies that are driven by the voices and needs of the field.
Supporting Students Beyond the School Day
To better understand the landscape of high-impact student supports nationwide, the National Partnership for Student Success (NPSS) Support Hub at the Johns Hopkins Everyone Graduates Center (EGC) collaborated with the Afterschool Aliance to survey a convenience sample of out-of-school time (OST) providers about the extent to which they offer specific high impact student supports in their programs, as part of a larger tracking survey fielded by the Afterschool Aliance
Click the button to learn more.
This is Afterschool
in Massachusetts
The Afterschool Alliance released briefings in June 2024 on afterschool programs in all 50 states. Their research found that Massachusetts students in afterschool are:
Getting homework help
Engaging in STEM learning opportunities
Working on their reading and writing skills
And more!
Click the button below to read the full brief about all the benefits that afterschool programs provide to our kids.
Service Learning
More than community service….
What is Service-Learning?
Service-learning is an approach to teaching and learning in which students use academic and civic knowledge and skills to address genuine community needs.
Picking up trash on a river bank is service. Studying water samples under a microscope is learning. When science students collect and analyze water samples, document their results, and present findings to a local pollution control agency – that is service-learning.
A national study of Learn and Serve America programs suggests that effective service learning programs improve grades, increase attendance in school, and develop students' personal and social responsibility.
A growing body of research recognizes service-learning as an effective strategy to help students by:
Promoting learning through active participation in service experiences
Providing structured time for students to reflect by thinking, discussing and writing about their service experience
Providing an opportunity for students to use skills and knowledge in real-life situations
Extending learning beyond the classroom and into the community
Fostering a sense of caring for others
Service-Learning also strengthens both education and local communities by:
Building effective collaborative partnerships between schools or colleges and other institutions and organizations
Engaging parents and other adults in supporting student learning
Meeting community needs through the service projects conducted
Providing engaging and productive opportunities for young people to work with others in their community
*The above information was provided by the Corporation for National and Community Service, Learn & Serve America
MAP works closely with the National Youth Leadership Council.
For over 40 years, the National Youth Leadership Council has transformed classrooms, empowered teachers, and captivated students by leading the way in providing high-quality, dynamic service-learning content to school districts, classrooms, afterschool programs, and everything in between.
Visit the NYLC website to set up a FREE account and receive FREE resources on how you can transform your afterschool program! Youth will be engaged and empowered by service learning projects!
The National League of Cities has more than two decades of experience and knowledge working with cities and municipal leaders to help strengthen local efforts to create, expand, and improve afterschool and summer learning opportunities.
The NLC has developed guidelines and best practices for cities, towns, and villages interested in supporting afterschool and summer learning programs. From briefs on promoting student engagement to funding programs, there are a myriad of resources that can help support your community’s children and youth!
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Visit our professional development page for information on our offerings.
Check out our course catalog by clicking the photo below!
MAP is a hub for free curriculum and activities to support hands-on and engaging activities in fields like STEM and social-emotional learning.
Program Spotlight: Flying Cloud Institute
The Flying Cloud Institute runs STEM afterschool programs in Western Massachusetts. Watch the video below to learn more about their Makerspace and Girls Science Club programs!
Afterschool Story Map
The Massachusetts Afterschool Partnership (MAP) Out-of-School Time Story Map depicts the afterschool and out-of-school time landscape in the state of Massachusetts. This map is designed to be used as a tool by legislators, advocates, providers, and families to understand where sites are located, where state and federal funding is being directed, and how this intersects with indicators of child-wellbeing. As we approach a federal funding cliff from ARPA funds, we hope this valuable information can inform strategies for supporting Massachusetts children and youth. Click here to learn more!
Is your program missing? Email claire@massafterschool.org!
Check out our STEM Opportunity Library- a list of afterschool, summer programs, internship and job opportunities for youth in Massachusetts! By increasing awareness of existing programs, we hope to increase access to STEM programming and encourage students to explore opportunities for STEM careers.