About The National Center for Quality Afterschool
The 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 National Center for Quality Afterschool
American Institutes for Research
4700 Mueller Blvd.
Austin, TX 78723
TEL: 800-476-6861
FAX: 512-476-2286
Lacy Wood, Principal Technical Assistance Consultant, 512-391-6567
Marion Baldwin, Senior Technical Assistance Consultant, 512-391-6503
Laura Shankland, Senior Technical Assistance Consultant, 512-391-6556
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.
