Assembly Bill 1984 (Steinberg) and Senate Bill 1478 (McPherson)
AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS

Declares the intent of the Legislature promote the development of after school enrichment activities for high school students, such as vocational education, community service, academic assistance, and mentoring programs. Such programs would involve a collaborative planning process involving the community that is served by each school, and it would be based on assessments of the needs and interests of low-performing students.

The Problem

Millions of "latch-key” youth return to an empty home after school. Parents worry about whether their children are safe, whether they are susceptible to drugs and crime. There is a chronic shortage of quality after-school programs. One recent study found that twice as many elementary and middle school parents wanted after-school programs as were currently available, and it is likely that the same issues affect high school pupils.

Background

For several years, efforts have been under way to provide additional after-school (and before-school) programs for middle and elementary school students, especially in low- income neighborhoods. Typically, these programs include activities such as sports, dance, drama, arts, crafts, and homework assistance. Many programs have been at the school site, and schools are increasingly seen as potential centers that can serve to rebuild distressed communities. It is likely that in some parts of the state, after-school programs for secondary school students can serve both as community-building catalysts, and as ways of improving the lives of students.

Recommendation Support AB 1984

Reasons

  • This bill will reduce juvenile crime, which peaks in the after-school hours. About 10 percent of violent juvenile crimes are committed between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. Young people are also at a much greater risk of being the victim of a violent crime (murder, a violent sex offense, robbery, or assault) after the school day, roughly 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
  • After-school programs provide a wide array of benefits to young people, their families, schools, and the whole community. They often draw upon parent and community volunteers, and research shows that when families are involved in schools, students do better. When family and community members make an investment in an after-school program, they become more interested and involved in their own children’s learning, in the learning of all children in the program, and in the life of the school as a whole.
  • Studies indicate that students in after-school programs show better achievement in math, reading, and other subjects. Young people attending formal after-school programs often spend more time in academic activities and in enrichment lessons than do their peers left unsupervised after school. Children whose out-of-school time includes 20-35 hours of constructive learning activities do better in school.

    Prepared by the Friends Committee on Legislation, 926 J Street #707, Sacramento, CA 95814

    ******************* The following letter is addressed to the Governor, regarding AB 1984 and after school programs for high school youth:

    *******************

    March 9, 2002

    Gray Davis, Governor
    State of California
    State Capitol, Sacramento, 95814

    Re: After-school programs for High School Pupils

    Assembly Bill 1984 (Steinberg), Support

    Dear Governor Davis:

    I urge you to support AB 1984 and increases in supervised after-school activity for students in secondary schools. High school education is important, not only for the economy of the state, but for the well-being of our citizens.

    After-school programs can help young people develop greater confidence in their academic abilities and a greater interest in school, both of which have been shown to lead to improved school attendance and completion rates. Students who spend even one to four hours a week in extracurricular activities are 60 percent less likely to have dropped out of school by 12th grade than their peers who did not participate.

    For the foregoing reasons, we support AB 1984.

    Yours very truly,

    CC: Assembly Member Darrell Steinberg