Research for Better Schools

Recent Evaluation Projects

Title: 21st Century Community Learning Centers - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Sponsor/Funder: School District of Philadelphia

Target Audience: School District of Philadelphia and community-based agencies

Collaborating Agencies: None

Dates: 2002 - 2005

Description: The School District of Philadelphia, in collaboration with the City of Philadelphia's Children's Investment Strategy (CIS)/Philadelphia Safe and Sound, implemented 21st Century Community Learning Center (21st CCLC) after-school programs at 24 school sites across the district. Research for Better Schools (RBS) was contracted to conduct a systematic program evaluation of both the implementation of the after-school programs at the 24 sites (formative evaluation) and the impact of those programs on the participants (summative evaluation).

These 21st CCLC programs are part of a national effort to address goals set forth in the No Child Left Behind legislation, and are funded by federal dollars awarded to states to bolster levels of academic achievement among youth. These programs include components that are distinguished from other after-school or extended day programs; for example, programming takes place five days a week from 3:30-6:00 p.m., or beginning at 1:15 p.m. on early dismissal days. Another feature is its non-academic component implemented by a partner community-based organization (CBO) for enrolled students and their siblings to build character and resiliency. Also, there are special events and activities designed to increase levels of parental involvement.

The data summarized in interim and summative evaluation reports were obtained through site observations conducted at each school; student achievement, attendance, and parent data provided by the district's Office of Research and Evaluation; student eligibility and teacher data provided by the Office of School Management; and RBS surveys of students and program staff.

Currently, two comparison groups are being identified to determine the program's impact. The first group was composed to compare differences in academic achievement between students who were eligible to enroll in the program based on standardized test scores but choose not to vs. students who did enroll. The second comparison group is intended to investigate outcome differences between students who were not identified as needing academic remediation but who enrolled in the CBO portion of the program vs. students who did not enroll in a high quality school-based after school program.

Outcomes: As a result of evaluation feedback, Family Night materials for parents have been translated into four frequently spoken foreign languages (Spanish, Russian, Albanian, and Chinese). Additionally, parental activities at four sites have been facilitated in these languages and English to increase school involvement among parents who are not native speakers of English.

Products and/or Web Links:

  • Feldman, J.M. (May 2005). 21 st Century Community Learning Center (CCLC) Program Interim Evaluation Report . Philadelphia, PA: Research for Better Schools.
  • Feldman, J.M. (October 2004). 21 st Century Community Learning Center (CCLC) Program Summer 2004 Interim Report . Philadelphia, PA: Research for Better Schools.
  • Feldman, J.M. (August 2004). 21 st Century Community Learning Center (CCLC) Program 2003-2004 Outcome Evaluation Report . Philadelphia, PA: Research for Better Schools.

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