Developed by the National Institute on Out-of-School Time at the Wellesley Centers for Women, Wellesley College, the Afterschool Program Practices Tool (APT) is an instrument designed to examine particular aspects of after-school program quality that research suggests contribute to desired youth outcomes. Based on extensive field testing, it has also been revised into a self-assessment tool and so far has received positive feedback from practitioners. Further development and improvement of this tool may provide after-school programs with the capacity to readily conduct ongoing self-evaluations. The researchers will use this grant to test the APT’s stability and accuracy as a measure of after-school program quality. The PIs will also examine how observer ratings compare with youth reports of their program experiences, as well as the relationships between observer ratings and youth outcomes. Testing will occur in 25 after-school programs serving grades K–8 in Massachusetts. At least 40 youth from each of the 25 sites will be surveyed about their program experiences. Results will be used to make improvements to the instrument.
Developed by the National Institute on Out-of-School Time at the Wellesley Centers for Women, Wellesley College, the Afterschool Program Practices Tool (APT) is an instrument designed to examine particular aspects of after-school program quality that research suggests contribute to desired youth outcomes.
