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Out-of-School Time Resources

21st century community learning centers

Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant Program

Title IV, Part B, of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)

 

Overview

The Out-of-School Time (OST) Resources webpage allows users to access content, webinars, and other resources that may assist with facilitating high quality programs. 

      Programing & Enrichment

      Career and Technical Education
      • Using Xello to Support Career Readiness in After-School Programs Webinar - View this webinar to learn more about Xello, the program Wisconsin students use to help create their Academic and Career Plans (ACP). Doing the recorded webinar, participants will learn about the basics of the program, as well as how to support or get involved in the ACP process. Head to www.xello.world to learn more!
      • Supporting Career Readiness in Out-of-School Time (OST) Programs Webinar - Academic and Career Planning doesn't stop when the school bell rings. In many ways, it is the time students spend out of the classroom that can provide some of the richest career readiness experiences! During the first half of this one-hour recorded workshop, program leaders working with youth from grades K-12 will learn about career readiness initiatives in Wisconsin and suggested program activities for all ages.
      Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM)
      • The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) provides diverse and engaging activities that can be used in OST programs. The activities are designed to align with national academic standards and promote inquiry-based learning.
      • Engineering is Elementary - The EiE is a project of the National Center for Technological Literacy and is designed for students in grades 1-8 to develop engineering and technology literacy. A variety of lessons are available for preview and purchase via the website, as well as supportive professional development and educational research.
      Literacy Enrichment
      Digital Learning
      Place-Based Education
      • Power of Place: Website dedicated to place-based education. Includes resources that support the implementation of place-based education, as well as professional development resources.
      • FIELD Edventures: Wisconsin-based organization dedicated to helping educators explore the outdoors, foster inquiry, and engage learners through discovery. Formerly known as Wisconsin Green Schools Network.
      • Taking Education Outdoors Toolkit: A collection of resources compiled by the DPI The resources in this toolkit are intended to help schools take learning outside to help address the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. These resources are not limited to education during the pandemic—taking learning outdoors can be part of providing equitable education during COVID-19 and beyond. The toolkit includes an Instructional Programming section, which lists sources for instructional resources, and an Out-of-School Time section, which lists resources of particular relevance to before and after-school programs. This toolkit is a living document that will be continually updated to reflect additional learning and new resources.
      • Big Ideas Across Science, Social Studies, and Environmental Literacy: Crosswalk developed by the DPI that shows the connection between the “big ideas” in Science, Social Studies, and Environmental Education. Useful tool for determining how to design activities that are standards-aligned.
      Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
      • DPI’s SEL Curriculum and Alignment Tools Webpage - Maintained by DPI’s Student Services/Prevention and Wellness (SSPW) Team that lists SEL curriculum programs that are evidence-based and aligned with Wisconsin’s SEL competencies.
      • Navigating Social and Emotional Learning from the Inside Out, Looking Inside and Across 33 leading SEL Programs: A Practical Resource for Schools and OST Providers - The guide profiles multiple evidence-based SEL programs, including describing the specific skill development and instructional methods of the various programs. In addition to helping practitioners make decisions about selecting a program, it also serves as a useful resource for providers that want to create their own, independent approach to SEL without purchasing a formal curriculum. Other key components of the guide include:
        • Background information on SEL and its benefits, including key features of effective programs and common implementation challenges.
        • A summary of the evidence base for each of the 33 programs.
        • Recommendations for adapting the programs for OST settings.
        • Summary tables that allow consumers to compare unique features, program components, and instructional methods, as well as see which skills each program targets.
        • Recommendations for achieving equitable and trauma-informed SEL.
        • Detailed, individual profiles for each of the programs.
      Project Based Learning

      Coming Soon!

       

      Additional Resources

      Resources for Supporting Students with IEP’s
      • IRIS Resource Locator: Website with many resources that can be used to provide professional development for staff related to working with students with disabilities, including learning modules and video vignettes.
      • Boosting Inclusion in After-School Activities: Article with specific suggestions of ways after-school programs can support the inclusion of students with disabilities in a range of activities, including music, book clubs, academic games, and physical activities.
      • High Leverage Practices for Students with Disabilities: Website dedicated to 22 strategies, known as high leverage practices, that educators can use to support students with disabilities. Includes videos illustrating what many of the strategies look like when put into practice.
      General
      • WI 2021 Youth Risk Behaviour Data and Student Participation in Out-of-School Time Programs - On January 18, 2023, DPI hosted a special presentation on the most recent Youth Risk Behavior Survey results and the story it tells about WI youth. During the presentation, DPI Evaluation Consultant, Owen Tortora, and Education Specialist, Denise Kohout shared what the survey tells us about WI student’s perception of self, school, their participation in extracurricular activities, and the impact out-of-school times can have on student mental health and engagement. Students who are more involved in extracurricular programs tend to have more positive health outcomes and this presentation uses our statewide data to examine this relationship. View the

        21st CCLC and Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) Data webinar

      • You for Youth (Y4Y) provides online professional learning and technical assistance specifically for Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Center (CCLC) granted programs. However, the content and resources apply broadly to many out-of-school time programs. Funded by the US Department of Education, the Y4Y site provides learning opportunities for program staff at every level and in multiple areas of interest. The site is frequently updated with new content and resources. Content on the site includes courses and resources on: STEM, Family Engagement, College and Career Readiness, Community Partnerships, Summer Learning, Civic Engagement, Trauma Informed Care, and much more. All 21st CCLC grantees are encouraged to register at the site to receive regular updates on available trainings and events.
      • US Department of Education - The US Department of Education provides resources, links, and guidelines specific to the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Center (CCLC) grant program.
      • The National Afterschool Association (NAA) offers after-school specific professional development opportunities, including blog posts, interviews, and content-specific toolkits that can be downloaded. New content is posted weekly and can be accessed at the NAA Professional Development website
      • The Afterschool Alliance is a national organization that advocates for out-of-school time programs. Check out their list of archived webinars that touch on a wide range of topics, including SEL, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), adolescent development, and youth voice. See the Afterschool Webinars website for more information
      • The National Institute on Out-of-School Time provides research, training and tools to support evidence-based practices in OST settings.
      • Badgerlink offers 21st CCLCs access to 68 separate resources, including full text and multimedia content you can use to create activities for use in after-school programs. The resources are searchable by grade or reading level, cover STEM subjects, test preparation and practice tests, and royalty-free music, video, and images perfect for school projects. Explore all of BadgerLink here.
      Nutrition
      • Afterschool Snack Program (ASP) – The DPI School Nutrition team maintains a website and resources designed to help eligible schools and programs understand and navigate the Afterschool Snack Program and eligibility. They have also created an informative, self-guided Afterschool Snack Program online course to learn about the program, eligibility requirements and reimbursement process.
      Funding

      Body

      For questions about this information, contact Alison Wineberg (608) 267-3751