Research, Data, & Publications
Decades of research show that high-quality afterschool and summer learning programs can improve student outcomes in school and support the growth and development of new skills.
The Afterschool Alliance, one of MAP’s key partners, conducts and publishes up-to-date research on the many benefits of afterschool and summer programming. Visit their website to learn more.
Afterschool Supports Children’s Well-Being and Healthy Development
Afterschool and summer programs play an essential role in supporting the healthy development of young people by serving as a safe space that fosters belonging, develops supportive relationships with peers and adult mentors, encourages healthy behaviors, and helps young people build and cultivate the skills necessary to navigate through the struggles and challenges they may come up against in life.
Afterschool Programs Strengthen the Economy
Afterschool programs help parents provide for their families and save businesses money. They keep kids safe and offer real-world learning opportunities that help youth build life skills and prepare for future careers.
Voters say Afterschool Programs are a Necessity
A new national poll of registered voters finds that public support for afterschool programs is at an all-time high. Whether Democratic, Independent, or Republican; rural, urban, or suburban; younger or older; voters agree that programs are an absolute necessity. Why? Programs help parents work, strengthen the economy, and keep kids safe, connected, and engaged in learning. More than ever before, voters want their newly elected leaders to increase funding for afterschool programs.
Afterschool Programs Help Combat Chronic Absenteeism and Improve School Attendance
Chronic absenteeism is a pervasive issue in education today, with both immediate and long-term impacts on student success and a disproportionate effect on historically marginalized students. Afterschool programs support school-day attendance and engagement by promoting youth voice, providing a culture of care through supportive adults and mentors, and helping young people explore their passions and talents.
Fall 2024 Program Provider Survey
In the Fall of 2024, an online survey conducted by Edge Research explored the highs and lows program providers are currently experiencing. The survey reached 1,223 afterschool program providers representing more than 9,200 programs across all 50 states and Washington, D.C. It found that the afterschool field is experiencing areas of improvement, such as a decrease in difficulties staffing programs, but struggles with overall funding and sustainability continue.
Out-of-School Time 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.
Have feedback on the story map? See information that needs to be updated? Fill out our feedback form!
MAP partnered with Beacon Research to survey Afterschool Directors across the Commonwealth about the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on their programs.
Afterschool Directors 2021 Survey
MAP worked with Northeastern’s School of Public Policy Master’s students to interview frontline staff at afterschool programs across their state on their basic needs and social determinants of health.