Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

New Standards of Quality Released for Afterschool Programs

  • 02/02/18

New York (PRWEB) – Today, the Council on Accreditation (COA), a national accreditor of afterschool programs and organizations, announces the release of updated standards of best practice for afterschool (out-of-school time) programs. With this release, COA is emphasizing key practices that are critical for the developmental growth of children and youth through participation in high-quality afterschool programs. Notable among the updates to the standards are a) enhanced continuous quality improvement practices; b) an emphasis on strengthening program design; c) highlighting practices that support social-emotional development; and d) the promotion of best practices for specific program types, including: arts education, academic enrichment (including STEM and literacy), mentoring, college and career readiness, health and wellness, and homework help and tutoring.

Richard Klarberg, COA’s President and CEO, said, “The release of the revised standards for afterschool programs could not have come at a more important time for the out-of-school time field. Emphasizing what research has to say about the practices that promote quality in out-of-school time through the revised standards, coupled with the external validation of quality provided by the accreditation process provides an avenue for programs and organizations to improve and demonstrate the quality of the services they provide to their communities.”

The standards were revised in consultation with leading organizations in the field, including: the Afterschool Alliance, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, Children and Youth Services Division – City of Decatur, GA, Child Trends, Coalition for Community Schools/Institute for Educational Leadership, Department of the Army, US Department of Defense, Douglas County School District, Colorado, Foundations, Inc., Kids Included Together, MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership, National AfterSchool Association, National Center for Families Learning, National Center on Afterschool and Summer Enrichment, National Institute on Out of School Time, Partnership for 21st Century Learning, United Way of Northern New Jersey, YMCA of the USA, and YWCA.

The revised standards are free and available to the public at go.coanet.org/OSTStandards.

Featured

  • URI Cuts Underwater Ribbon on New Ocean Robotics Laboratory

    The University of Rhode Island recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new Ocean Robotics Laboratory at its Narragansett Bay Campus, according to a news release. Two students used a remotely operated vehicle to cut an underwater ribbon in a 30-by-20-foot test tank.

  • Rowan University, HPE Partner on New Learning Initiative

    Rowan University in Glassboro, N.J., recently announced that it has expanded its partnership with enterprise technology provider HPE to improve research capabilities and hands-on learning opportunities, according to a news release.

  • Can AI Help Build Stronger Communities in Student Housing?

    Student housing success is shifting from operational performance to student experience, with belonging now at the center. A recent 2025 report underscores a growing emphasis on student well-being, community, and engagement, signaling that expectations now extend beyond logistics to ensure students feel supported in their living environments. AI is enabling that shift by reducing administrative workload and giving teams more time to focus on meaningful student engagement.

  • Arizona District Breaks Ground on Community Training, Learning Center

    The Tolleson Union High School District (TUHSD) in Tolleson, Ariz., recently broke ground on a new Training & Learning Center (TLC) for both district professionals and the community at large, according to a news release. The 90,000-square-foot facility has an estimated completion date of spring 2027.