AYPF Forum Brief - After-School Programs in American... -
[Cached Version]
Published on: 3/31/2000
Last Visited: 7/9/2006
Reg ClarkClark and AssociatesP.O. Box 1346Claremont, CA 91711(909) 626-0070Fax: (909) 621-6584
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Growing up in a poor community in Chicago, where it is often thought that children are viewed as "doomed to fail," Reg Clark, of Clark and Associates, is one of these successes.
After obtaining his doctoral degree, Dr. Clark dedicated his professional life to analyzing the factors that help children become academically successful.During his 20 years of research, he has found that the mother,s educational level accounted for only seven percent of the variance between high and low achieving youngsters, the father,s educational level for only three percent, and economic status for another seven percent.The remaining approximately 80 percent of the variance between the two groups was related to the ways the children spent their time.High achieving youngsters, when compared to their low-achieving peers, have greater access to learning materials, use computers more, and are more involved in after-school activities that have a learning component, such as writing, doing homework, or reading.In addition, high achieving youth have at least one adult outside of school who sets high standards and regularly advises the youth to do well.Dr. Clark,s findings are described in his book, Family Life and School Achievement: Why Poor Black Children Succeed or Fail.
Based on his research findings, Dr. Clark developed a model for after-school programs that balances academic and leisure activities with a predominance of "high yield" learning activities.Project LEARN, used by the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, is based on this model.These latter activities provide children with opportunities to develop their abilities and engage them intensely.Adults act as coaches and advocates in Dr. Clark,s model programs, helping the youth to develop a plan for this balanced life style, connecting them with the necessary services, advocating for them when needed, and encouraging them to succeed.The activities must be fun, engaging, and developmentally appropriate.If the children are intentionally involved in the activities, learning will occur, assures Dr. Clark.In his program, the children initially keep track of how they are spending their time.Then, they work with a mentor to set goals and develop a plan that increases the proportion of high yield learning activities.The mentor also engages the youth in discussions that help promote a better life style.Dr. Clark,s proposal is to build communities of adults and children partnerships, so that each child may have at least one influential adult in his or her life (For more information on Dr. Clark,s after-school model, see ).
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The motivation is there, says Dr. Clark, but the youth need a strategy and consistent adult support.
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