Blog
Nov 05

The Growing Out-of-School Time Field: A new must-read

“The authors in this important new book show us not only how to create [out-of-school time] programs but why it matters to our collective future. Timely, relevant, and readable, this book is an invaluable resource for anyone seeking to close gaps in educational opportunities.” – Pedro A. Noguera, Distinguished Professor of Education, UCLA Graduate School of Education & Information Studies

From out-of-school (OST) time as vehicle to promote youth development to professional development within the OST field, The Growing Out-of-School Time Field: Past, Present, and Future offers a thoughtful and extensive look into the progress of a field that has grown and matured over the course of two decades. The above quote by Dr. Noguera, who has received awards from the Center for the Advanced Study of the Behavioral Sciences and the McSilver Institute at New York University for his work aimed at advancing equity, nicely encapsulates the significance of this book and its value add to the national conversation.

In addition to a chapter by the Afterschool Alliance on the role of federal education policy in closing the opportunity gap, the book features prominent leaders and experts in the OST field, including Karen Pittman, co-founder, president, and CEO of the Forum for Youth Investment; Ellen Gannett, director of the National Institute on Out-of-School Time; Dr. Gil Noam, founder and director of the PEAR Institute: Partnerships in Education and Resilience at McLean Hospital, a Harvard Medical School affiliate; and Gina Warner, president and CEO of the National AfterSchool Association.

Whether you are a program provider, a researcher, a policy wonk, a student, an educational professional, or all of the above, there is (at least) one section in the book that will speak to you:

  1. OST as a Vehicle for Young People’s Development
  2. Social and Cultural Dimensions in OST
  3. Professional Development within OST
  4. Research- and Evaluation-Informed Field
  5. OST Advocacy
  6. Future Directions for the OST Field

The first volume in a new book series, Current Issues in Out-of-School Time, by Information Age Publishing, The Growing Out-of-School Time Field provides a foundation for forthcoming books that will delve into relevant topics in the field, such as social and emotional learning and equity and access.

You can currently purchase this book online for a discounted price and stay tuned for a webinar and blog series later this year featuring authors from this new resource.