This document discusses expanding global learning opportunities in afterschool programs. It describes the variety of afterschool settings and goals to support youth development. Research shows that high-quality afterschool programs improve academic performance and develop skills like self-esteem. The document advocates using the afterschool environment to provide global content, skills, connections, and career opportunities for youth. It offers examples of programs integrating global learning and suggests transforming all afterschool activities with a global perspective.

1. Expanding Horizons:
Global Learning in Afterschool
and Out-of-School Time
Alexis Menten, Asia Society
alexism@asiasoc.org
AsiaSociety.org/Afterschool

2. A Broad and Diverse Field...
• Variety of learning time – Afterschool, before school, and
summer activities
• Variety of learning settings – Schools, museums,
libraries, parks, health agencies, faith-based and other
community-based organizations
• Variety of goals – Safety, positive youth development,
and academic achievement and support
(Little, P., Wimer, C., and Weiss, H. Afterschool programs in the 21st century: Their potential and what it takes to
achieve it. Harvard Family Research Project, 2008)
AsiaSociety.org/Afterschool

3. A Growing Field...
• 6.5 million K-12 children participate in
afterschool programs each year
• An additional 15 million would participate
if a program were available
(Afterschool Alliance, 2004)
AsiaSociety.org/Afterschool

4. Estimated Federal Funding for OST
(Chart compiled by The Finance Project)
AsiaSociety.org/Afterschool

5. Developmental Benefits
• Meta-analysis of over 70 afterschool programs
found that across studies, afterschool programs
improve youth personal and social skills,
including self-esteem and self-confidence
(Durlak, R. and Weissberg, R. The impact of after-school programs that promote personal and
social skills. Chicago, CASEL, 2007)
AsiaSociety.org/Afterschool

6. Academic Benefits
• A 2-year longitudinal study of almost 3,000
elementary and middle school youth found that
students who participated in high-quality
afterschool programs demonstrated significant
gains in standardized test scores, as well as
improvement in work habits and task persistence
(Vandell, D., Reisner, E., and Pierce, K. Outcomes linked to high quality afterschool programs
University of California at Irvine and Policy Studies Associates, 2007)
AsiaSociety.org/Afterschool

7. It’s Not Just About Time
• Duration
• Dosage
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8. Characteristics of High-Quality
Learning Environments
• Rigor – Intentional focus on learning outcomes
• Relevance – Asset-based and youth-driven
approach
• Relationships – Peers, schools, communities
AsiaSociety.org/Afterschool

9. Afterschool and Global Learning
By taking advantage of all hours of the learning
day and year;
Creating safe and supportive environments;
Using dynamic approaches that engage and
educate; and
Connecting youth to their communities and their
futures…
The afterschool field is in a unique position
to help youth achieve global competence.
AsiaSociety.org/Afterschool

10. Expanding Horizons After School
•Take Advantage of the
Afterschool Environment
•Understanding Culture
through Communities
•Involve Youth and Families
•Transform Learning
•Mobilize Staff
•Assemble Expertise and
Partners
AsiaSociety.org/Afterschool

11. Expanding Horizons Video
“In these changing times, it’s
so important that we harness
the power of afterschool and
summer programs to bring
the world to our children—and
provide them with the skills
they need to succeed.”
– Soledad O’Brien,
CNN Anchor and Special
Correspondent and
Board Member,
The After-School
Corporation (TASC)
AsiaSociety.org/Afterschool

12. Afterschool Programs Can Provide…
• Global content
• Global skills
• Global connections
• Global futures
AsiaSociety.org/Afterschool

13. Going Global in Afterschool
• At Brighten Up, an arts and education program in Westwego,
Louisiana, children ages 5-12 take “Virtual Vacations” by focusing
on different countries around the world.
• Global Kids, an afterschool program in New York City, develops
high school leaders who educate their peers about global issues by
organizing conferences, creating media projects, leading workshops
in classrooms, and developing public awareness campaigns..
• World Savvy’s Global Media and Arts Program in SF, NY, and
Minneapolis, middle and high school youth ages 10-18 use their
experiences in their own communities to examine global themes
such as peace and conflict, and immigration and identity.
AsiaSociety.org/Afterschool

14. Global Curriculum Resources for
Afterschool
• Global GraffitiWall from Foundations Inc. Center for
Afterschool Education
• All Around the World from the Johns Hopkins University
Center for Summer Learning
• Afterschool KidzLit Global in development from
Developmental Studies Center
AsiaSociety.org/Afterschool

15. Transform Global Learning
Across All Content Areas and Activities
• English Literacy: More Than a Basic Skill
• World Language Literacy: Fluency for a Global Age
• Technology and Media Literacy: Skills for a Digital World
• Geographic Literacy: Finding the Way
• Scientific Literacy: Global Questions, Global Collaborations
• Mathematic Literacy: Finding Patterns in the World
• Economic and Career Literacy: A Path to the Future
• Civic Literacy: Service Learning and Taking Action
• Artistic Literacy: The Power of Creativity and Expression
• Sports and Games: Play in a Cross-Cultural Context
AsiaSociety.org/Afterschool