ACE and BEST After-School Programs

Learning doesn’t end when the school bell rings. Families can help keep the learning going at home, through homework, parent-child interaction, and enrichment activities. But many students also can benefit from targeted academic intervention and enrichment programs through their schools. At eight Eugene schools, that's where the ACE and BEST after-school programs come in.

About the Programs

To close the achievement gap, we need to find ways to give more instruction time to kids who need it. The ACE and BEST after-school programs extend the learning day, offering academic assistance in small-group reading, math or writing lessons and homework help. The well-rounded programs also include enrichment activities, dinner at school and transportation home each day, as well as occasional family activities and adult learning opportunities. Students are invited to participate based on academic needs in reading, writing or math, with any additional slots available to other students on a first-come, first-served basis.

Outcomes

The results are promising. Locally, initial data collection shows significant gains among participants. ACE program participants increased writing fluency by 30% more than their peers who had not participated in the program, while kids in the BEST program showed significantly more growth in passage reading fluency, a key measure of reading ability. Nationwide, research shows that students in after-school programs not only experience greater academic success, they also have better school attendance and behavior, have stronger peer relationships and feel safer at school, develop stronger relationships with adults, and have families that feel more connected to the schools. 

Partners

Community partners are an important part of this success. Among them, the City of Eugene’s recreation and cultural services divisions provide enrichment activities from art and science to rock climbing and dance. Arts Umbrella conducts beginning strings programs. Reading assistance dogs from PAAWS (People and Animals Who Serve) provide an uncritical ear, helping to improve the reading fluency and enjoyment of reluctant readers. And the University of Oregon’s work study program provides math and reading tutors to help participants achieve academic success.

Funding

In 2009–10 the popular after-school programs are continuing and even expanding their efforts to help all students achieve — even in a year of deep budget cuts — thanks to additional Title I funding from the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (otherwise known as the stimulus package). In past years these after-school programs have been funded largely through 21st Century Community Learning Center grants with additional support from the school district. With grant and general fund support decreasing, the addition of ARRA funds this year has helped the programs continue to offer services to hundreds of students, align curriculums between in-school and after-school instruction, provide strong targeted interventions in reading and math to students who need extra attention, and ensure a high quality of instruction by adding certified teaching staff.

Participation

ACE after-school programs, which focus on writing, are offered this year at Meadowlark, Adams, and Camas Ridge elementary schools. BEST reading- and math-focused programs are offered at Howard, River Road, and Chavez elementary schools, at the K–8 Arts & Technology Academy, and at Kelly Middle School. The programs served more than 700 students in 2008–09, and had waiting lists of families excited about the programs at all eight schools. Families may ask to be added to the waiting list if their child has not received an invitation to participate; to do so, call the school and ask to talk to the after-school coordinator.

Students say:

"BEST is awesome! It helps me with my school work."

"Reading is my favorite part of BEST."

"BEST is fun and cool! I like all the activities."

Parents say:

"I really value the extra help my child gets with reading and writing."

"It gives her a positive experience with her school work and it really helps my family out."

Staff say:

"I appreciate that the students I am most concerned about get extra help after school. It really makes a difference for the students in my classroom."