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Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Wyoming, 2008. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on July 17, 2009). Includes bibliographical references (p. 44-51).

Thesis (Ed.D.)--Liberty University, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references.

Theses (Ed.S.)--Marshall University, 2005. / Title from document title page. Includes abstract. Document formatted into pages: contains 34 p. Bibliography: p. 32-34.

The historical case study was designed to examine how the Play It Smart program, a Sports-Based Youth Development Program, was adopted and sustained by local stakeholders in an urban high school setting after the initial seed funding was cut. Current and past key stakeholders were invited to participate and school leaders (n = 2), community leaders (n = 2), the original Academic Coach (n = 1) and current Academic Coaches (two of which are past program participants) (n = 3) agreed to be interviewed for this investigation. The intent of the interviews was to uncover the key factors that are present that allow the Play It Smart program to sustain itself from year to year as well as how the program has become entrenched into the school culture and the role it plays in the academic and athletic objectives/philosophies of the school. Responses revealed a number of major themes related to the adoption and ongoing commitment to sustain the program for the last 16 years. These themes included an initial pledge from the stakeholders to restore the academic and athletic reputation at the school, the recognition of the relationship with the original Academic Coach and the positive results that were repeatedly promoted, the recruitment and buy-in from a collection of traditional and non-traditional allies including the students and, ultimately, a shift in culture that seems to stem from a dynamic group of past participants that provides hope. The themes related to sustainability seem to further validate the theoretical framework that was so critical for the establishment of the Play It Smart programs in that: the context, football (sport) and academic performance, is also valued by stakeholders; the primary external asset, the caring adult mentor or Academic Coach, was able to attract and involve other assets to support the participants; the internal assets, life skills, were developed and refined while participating in community service activities which serve as the regular highlights shared with stakeholders throughout the school year; and the evaluation was designed to promote progress and to allow for adjustments.

This study is based on perceptions of risk behaviors for migrant Latino youth who participate in an after school program. Currently, there is no known research on perceptions of risk behaviors for migrant youth. There is plenty of research on after school program and how they are helpful in reducing or even preventing risk behaviors in adolescence. Fourteen migrant Latino youth between age's 10-18 grades 4-12 were studied. Participants attended the Illinois Council Migrant Technology Learning Center during after school hours between three and six p.m. A Q sort survey was given to each participant for collection of quantitative data. At the bottom of the q sort survey, qualitative questions were asked to gather qualitative data. Analysis of the data showed that the majority of the participants (n=12) comprised factor one, positive behaviors while only two participants comprise factor two, risk behaviors. Qualitative data revealed that participants felt the Technology Learning Center (TLC) is a good place to complete homework, socialize with friends, and use the computers.

Since the enactment of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, students who failed to demonstrate proficiency on state assessments were identified and targeted in order to receive interventions to assist in increasing their academic achievement. For many students, time during the regular school day simply could not be provided for the attention or time on-task necessary to meet their needs. As a result, many school districts and schools implemented after-school and tutoring programs to target those students who failed to demonstrate proficiency. Louisville Municipal School District (LMSD) operated an after-school program to help increase the academic achievement of 5th through 8th grade students in reading/language and mathematics on the MCT2. The purpose of this study was to (a) explore the impact the after-school program’s strategic components (leadership, activities, and partnerships) had on student achievement, and (b) determine if the after-school program had a positive effect on academic outcomes in the areas of reading/language and mathematics. A mixed method research design was used to conduct the study. A narrative approach was used to provide a response to the first research question. The Chi-squared test of independence was used as the primary means of analysis for the second and third research questions to determine if relationship existed between participation in the after-school program and academic achievement. The results from the research study show that strategic components of an after-school program had a positive impact on student achievement. Emerging themes were identified for each strategic component: leadership, activities, and partnerships. Participation in the after-school program proved to be a good predictor of student achievement on MCT2, with statistically significant Chi-squared results for reading/language. The recommendations for future research are as follows: (a) further research to improve reading/language and mathematics skills among the nation’s students, (b) longitudinal studies to determine long term effects on students attending after-school programs multiple years, (c) study of effects of after-school programs on other grade levels, and (d) including outcomes of other variables such as after-school participation on school attendance, behavior, and classroom grades.

This case study takes an in-depth look at what type of students transition from elementary to middle school 21st Century Community Learning Center programs. Using binary logistic regressions, I identify key characteristics that predict whether or not a student will continue to attend the program after they transition to a new school and then discuss how to improve the attendance of after-school programs. Moreover, this case study also identifies how different school program environments serve different types of students in two cohorts starting in fifth grade. Middle school context moderates the effects of other variables that are predictive of participation in after-school programs during middle school. Thus, I demonstrate how understanding who makes successful transitions in the after-school program can help improve the sustainability and effectiveness of these programs.

After-school programs play an increasing role in providing developmental and social skills through extra-curricular activities. Adolescents are most likely to engage in delinquent behavior during unsupervised after-school hours. Different after-school programs are available, both community-based and faith-based programs have risen in number in response to the need of children to have a safe environment with adult supervision. This study is interested in comparing after-school programs that are faith-based to community-based and see if any similarities or differences exist within each other. The purpose of this thesis was to contribute to the existing literature on after-school programs in two ways. First, this research will provide a brief history of after-school programs and a discussion of the types of programs. Second, this study will compare and contrast the various goals, structure, and performance of a community-based program and a faith-based program. Through in-person interview, a comparison will be drawn on organizational structure, activities, source and funding, goals and objectives, and outcomes of each program.

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