30 Mar 2020
Podcast

AIR Informs Episode #2: Opportunities for Learning and Development in Out-of-School Time

Image of Deb MoroneyWhile schools are closed because of the coronavirus pandemic, out-of-school time programs and employees continue to support students and provide child care—especially for parents who can’t work from home—while still complying with local policies and practicing social distancing.

In this podcast, AIR managing director and youth development expert Deborah Moroney, based in Chicago, shares what parents should know about out-of-school time programs and resources to support students while they’re not in school.

  • Out-of-school time providers are still playing an important role for students. Community-based programs and spiritual institutions are providing childcare and learning programs for children and young people whose parents can’t work from home.
  • Even with shelter-in-place orders, out-of-school programs are responding in creative ways. For example, the Chicago Park District is open during the week to provide care for children and young people. Teen programs at After School Matters, also in Chicago, have temporarily closed their in-person programs, but their staff continue to engage their young adult participants online.
  • Out-of-school time programs are having fun, even in these stressful times. For example, Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium is temporarily closed and the penguins have taken over!
  • If parents are overwhelmed when looking for educational resources, they should look locally. Visit websites for your local library and cultural institution for curated lists. You can also visit large library websites for curated resources for young people by age, such as the New York City and Los Angeles public library systems. And don’t forget cultural institutions, like aquariums and natural history and art museums.
What Is Out-of-School Time?

Out-of-school time can mean the time children spend with family members or other caregivers when they’re not in school, but it also refers to a field of practice. Nonprofit organizations mainly run the programs for children. These may include afterschool programs, summer programs, clubs, sports, and really any structured activity for young people when they’re out of school. About 12 million people across the country are involved in running and supporting such activities.

Check out these additional educational resources for parents and students:

Related Work

18 Mar 2020
Spotlight

AIR’s COVID-19 Response and Resources

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. This virus, also known as COVID-19, has dramatically changed the lives of people around the globe, touching all aspects of life, from health care to education to the economy. In this new world of rapidly changing information about the virus, AIR seeks to be a source of evidence-based information that examines and begins to understand the various complexities of this crisis.
Topic: 
Education, Social and Emotional Learning, Technology for Teaching and Learning, Health, Health Cost and Coverage, Mental Health, Patient, Family, and Stakeholder Engagement, Trauma-Informed Care, Workforce, Adult Learning
3 Jan 2019
Q & A

Meet the Expert: Deborah Moroney

Dr. Deborah Moroney specializes in bridging research and practice, having worked as a staff member for out-of-school programs early in her career. She’s written practitioner and organizational guides; co-authored the fourth edition of “Beyond the Bell®, A Toolkit for Creating High-Quality Afterschool and Expanded Learning Programs,” a seminal afterschool resource; and co-edited Creating Safe, Equitable, Engaging Schools: A Comprehensive, Evidence-Based Approach to Supporting Students.
Topic: 
Education, Afterschool and Expanded Learning, Equity in Education, Social and Emotional Learning

Further Reading