Afterschool MattersProject Directors: Ellen Gannett, M.Ed. and Georgia Hall, Ph.D. National Afterschool Matters Initiative Funded by Bowne Foundation There are four components of the National Afterschool Matters Initiative: (1) Practitioner Fellowship Program which provides an opportunity for line staff to develop their writing and research skills; (2) Afterschool Matters Journal and Occasional Paper Series publications to disseminate the findings and experiences of the Practitioner Fellows and Research Grantees and other researchers in the out-of-school time field; (3) Edmund A. Stanley, Jr. Research Grantee program to foster high quality cutting–edge research that has lasting impact on the field; and (4) Research Roundtables as a forum for connecting research and practice. 1. The Practitioner Fellowship Program The Practitioner Fellowship program is a professional development, program quality improvement, and field building opportunity for practitioners working in the out-of-school time field. Its goals are to:
Essential Elements of the Practitioner Fellowship Program:
There will be a partnership with the National Writing Project on the Fellowship Program. 2. Afterschool Matters Publications NIOST will continue producing a publication that disseminates the knowledge gained and experiences of those involved in the Practitioner Fellowships and Research Grant programs. Currently, the Afterschool Matters Journal is published once a year and the Occasional Paper Series is published up to two times each year. Target audiences for these publications include practitioners, university researchers, policy-makers, and other field stakeholders. Copies of the publications are distributed by mailings to individuals and bulk mailings to key organizations as well as being available on the Robert Bowne Foundation website. Currently both the publications are free. Essential Elements of the Publications
3. National Research Grants NIOST will continue to assist with the Edmund A. Stanley, Jr. National Research Grant program. Currently, four grants of $10,000 are awarded to support research about community-based youth programs during out-of-school time hours. Recipients of the grants present on their work at a research roundtable. This research contributes to improvement in practice and policy in community-based youth programs. Essential Elements of the National Research Grant Program:
4. Research and Practitioner Roundtables NIOST’s vision for Afterschool Matters includes the continuation of the Research Roundtable as a vehicle for exchanging research findings and practice, and contributing to the professionalization of the out-of-school time field. NIOST expects that as they grow the Practitioner Fellowships to multiple cities, there will be a need for regional roundtables to take place. The Research and Practitioner Roundtables are held annually (in multiple locations as required) to accomplish three specific goals:
Essential Elements of the Round Tables
The Research Roundtables will offer opportunities for practitioners, researchers, teachers, community organization leaders, and policy makers to discuss the implications of research for their prospective work; and to work collaboratively to set policy and practice into effect across the field in response to the research findings. Through the Roundtables, we expect to initiate professional networking among practitioners and leaders in the out-of-school time field. Breaking News! Bowne Foundation awards $2.1M for Afterschool Matters! |
