Researchers from DSC conducted an evaluation study of the AfterSchool KidzLit program during the 2001–02 school year.
Details of the evaluation study:
- Focused on eight after-school sites operated by LA’s BEST (Better Educated Students for Tomorrow), a highly regarded after-school program in Los Angeles
- Measured reading-related attitudes and behaviors, vocabulary development, and social attitudes and behaviors among second- and fourth-graders
- Used a pre-post design to assess changes over eight months
Findings of this evaluation included the following:
- Participants showed significant increases in the amount of reading overall.
- Participants showed significant increases in their positive feelings about their reading ability.
- Among Spanish-speaking youth, there were significant increases from pre- to post-test in the proportion of correct words that were answered in English.
- Fourth-graders showed positive effects related to social/ethical attitudes and behaviors, including:
- Significant increases in concern for others
- Significant increases in altruistic behavior
(These variables were not assessed at second grade.)
- Benefits for participating youth reported by youth workers, included:
- Greater ability to think critically and express ideas verbally
- Greater understanding of self and others
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Download a summary of the study
