Four out of five North Carolina families who want their children in afterschool programs can’t access one, according to a new national survey released recently.
The America After 3 p.m. survey, conducted by the Afterschool Alliance, found that about 188,000 North Carolina children currently attend afterschool programs which is roughly the same as five years ago. But an additional 664,000 children would participate if programs were more accessible, the survey found.
Parents cited cost, transportation and a lack of availability as the top barriers to enrollment. More than half said programs were too expensive, nearly half said programs were located too far away or lacked safe transportation, and four in ten said no programs were available in their area.
“In its new strategic plan, the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction calls for North Carolina public schools to be the best in the nation by 2030,” said NC Center for Afterschool Programs Director Elizabeth Anderson. “Given more than 80 percent of North Carolina students’ time is spent learning outside of school, we can’t be the best in the nation without strong afterschool and summer learning programs.”
The survey, based on responses from more than 30,000 families nationwide, including 800 in North Carolina, also found strong bipartisan support for public funding of afterschool programs. Five in six North Carolina parents said they support state funding for afterschool opportunities, including 90% of Democrats and 83% of Republicans.
Parents whose children attend afterschool programs reported major benefits, with 92% saying the programs help them stay employed or work more hours, and 96% saying they feel less stressed knowing their child is safe and supervised. Three in four parents said afterschool programs make their children more excited about learning and improve school attendance.
North Carolina is one of 23 states without dedicated state funding for afterschool or summer learning programs.
Anderson said NC CAP is urging lawmakers to create a dedicated state funding stream for afterschool programs, starting by matching the federal government’s current investment of $35.8 million.
“Right now in North Carolina, we are able to fund fewer than half of the programs that apply for federal 21st Century Community Learning Center dollars,” she told NC Newsline. “A dedicated state-level funding stream would go a long way toward serving more students through high-quality afterschool.”
She added that the organization is working with national partners on new research, expected next year, to better estimate the cost of serving the 664,000 children still waiting for access to afterschool opportunities.
“Over 664,000 children in North Carolina are waiting for a safe place to learn and grow outside of school,” Anderson said. “It’s time for our state leaders to recognize high-quality afterschool as essential for our children, our families and our economy.”
The full report is available at afterschoolalliance.org.
Hence then, the article about four in five nc families who want afterschool programs can t access them report finds was published today ( ) and is available on NC news line ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Four in five NC families who want afterschool programs can’t access them, report finds )
Also on site :