An Evaluation of An Elementary After School Program

This research study includes an evaluation of an elementary after school program. Research findings have demonstrated that somd students are f`iling to obtain grade-level reading skills by the third grade and this failure can lead to ongoing reading and academic problems. After school programs are being implemented to help students with lower than grade-level reading skills. Evaluation of these programs is needed to determine their effectiveness.

The purpose of this research study is to evaluate an after school program at a local elementary school and determine its effects on reading comprehension for third-grade students. In addition, this evaluation will demonstrate program effectiveness regarding nonacademic goals such as increased student interaction.

The problem is that up to 20% of elementary school children have difficulty mastering literacy skills of reading and spelling (Joshi, Dahlgren, & Boulware-Gooden, 2002). In addition, 74% of those children who are unsuccessful at reading in the third grade are found to be unsuccessful in the ninth grade as well. A lack of grade-level reading skills by the conclusion of third grade compounds as the child progresses through school and can lead to academic failure (Burns,áSenesac, & Symington, 2004). Difficulties in mastering literacy skills may be due to family background

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omprehension? 2. How do parents perceive the overall effectiveness of the after school program? 3. How does the director perceive the after school program? 4. Does the after school program meet content goals? 5. Does the after school program meet quality interaction goals? 6. Does the after school program provide opportunity for skill building and mastery? 7. Does the after school program have appropriate materials, space, and resources available? The hypotheses are as follows: Hypothesis: Student pre-program participation reading comprehension scores will be significantly different from their post-program participation reading comprehension scores. Methodology Paradigm Program evaluation research will be used for this study. This research is designed to evaluate how well a specific after school program is meeting its goals. Evidence will be sought to answer questions related to program effectiveness and accountability. Data will be collected in the natural setting. Surveys will be used to gather data related to program effectiveness as perceived by the program director, staff, and parents. An interview with the director will provide additional insight related to overall program operations and effect
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Some common words found in the essay are:
Sample Subjects, Research Council, Director Survey, Test WRCT, Questions Hypothesis, Data Collection, Paradigm Program, Parent Survey, Change Effective, Language Arts, school program, reading comprehension, third grade, posner vandell 1994, posner vandell, vandell 1994, elementary school, operationally defined, comprehension scores, purpose study, reading comprehension scores, reading comprehension test, comprehension test, goals operationally defined, activity observation instrument,
Approximate Word count = 2794
Approximate Pages = 11 (250 words per page)

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