Out-of-School Time Programs: Helping Children Find Passion, Purpose and Voice
New research sheds light on how parents, teachers, and OST providers perceive the value of out-of-school time (OST) in children’s social, emotional, and academic development.
Edge Research, in conjunction with Learning Heroes, a nonprofit dedicated to elevating the voice of parents in education, was commissioned by Wallace to explore the unique, differentiated role OST programs play in youth development compared with home and school, how parents assess quality in OST programs and the impact of COVID-19.
After a year of pandemic-induced isolation, parents’ top priorities for their children’s out-of-school time (OST) programs are addressing their social and emotional health, providing physical outdoor activities, and helping them discover their passion and purpose. Those were key findings from an updated national survey, as well as interviews and focus groups conducted by Edge Research for Learning Heroes, a nonprofit dedicated to elevating the voice of parents in education. This report and accompanying playbook highlight the findings (this replaces an earlier version of the report published in May).