About The SEDL National Center for Quality Afterschool
The SEDL National Center for Quality Afterschool helps state education agencies and local practitioners develop high-quality, balanced programs that provide a safe and fun environment for academic enrichment as well as youth development activities.
Contact Us
The SEDL National Center for Quality Afterschool
SEDL
4700 Mueller Blvd.
Austin, TX 78723
TEL: 800-476-6861
FAX: 512-476-2286
Lacy Wood, Project Director, 512-391-6567
Marion Baldwin, Program Associate, 512-391-6503
Zena Rudo, Project Director, 512-391-6554
Zena manages various research and evaluation projects, in which she develops concepts, tools, and strategies to implement and research educational policy and practice. Much of her current work entails managing large scale databases, providing technical assistance, and conducting analyses on the effectiveness of afterschool programs and parent involvement in education.
What We Do
The goal of the National Center for Quality Afterschool is to enhance the ability of afterschool programs to support student achievement by helping them embed high-quality academic content in engaging activities that attract and retain student participation. Our work consists principally of the following three types of activities.
Identify and Validate Promising Practices
The Center analyzes a variety of available data sources, including academic achievement measures, to identify sites demonstrating a positive effect on student learning.
Provide Assistance and Training
The Center sponsors or co-sponsors national and regional training events featuring experts in the area of program development and the use of high-quality, research-based instructional practices. Staff are also available to assist state education agencies and afterschool sites in the development of exemplary programs and to provide customized fee-for-service training.
Develop Resources
Using current research on promising practices, including data acquired from afterschool site visits, Center staff develop resources and tools to help practitioners create activities that support student learning. Our Afterschool Training Toolkit illustrates specific practices in literacy, mathematics, science, and the arts. This resource also provides strategies for integrating technology and assisting students with homework.