50 State Afterschool Network
Broadening opportunities for youth in every state with quality afterschool and summer learning programs.
Connect with a NetworkOur Network
In every state, a statewide afterschool network brings together a wide range of partners from education, workforce, state government, community-based organizations, and more to increase access to and spark innovation in quality afterschool and summer learning programs. The 50 State Network is an ecosystem of practitioners, researchers, technical assistance providers and afterschool champions, working to expand the quality, scope, and impact of learning experiences for young people across the country. Since 2002, the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation has provided financial support and technical assistance to the statewide afterschool networks. The return on investment is clear: networks are impactful in coordinating with partners to increase access to afterschool and summer learning programs and improve the quality, scope, and impact of learning experiences for young people. Together, we can keep the momentum going and serve more children, youth, and families by advancing afterschool.
Change Agents Seeking Positive Outcomes for Children and Youth
In each state, networks facilitate diverse partners to develop a common vision ensuring that young people can access the opportunities they need to thrive, succeed in school today, and be prepared for future jobs, college, and life.
The 50 State Afterschool Network connects independent networks in every state to share inspiration, opportunities for impact, and innovative practices to support and expand afterschool and summer learning programs nationwide.
Organizations providing technical assistance to the networks include AASA (The School Superintendents Association), Afterschool Alliance, American Institutes for Research, National AfterSchool Association, National Conference of State Legislatures, National League of Cities, National Summer Learning Association, Thrive Paradigm, and more.
Lead, Convene, Innovate
Networks coordinate partners in their state to increase access to afterschool and summer learning programs and improve quality to engage young people. Networks educate champions, engage business leaders in developing career pathways, align with educators, and support programs to be excellent.
Afterschool Works
Proven to Help Young People Thrive
Research demonstrates that high-quality afterschool and summer programs not only keep kids safe, but inspire students to learn and support working families. Students who regularly attend afterschool programs continue to improve their academic performance and see meaningful benefits into young adulthood. Kids from families with low income demonstrate the greatest gains.
Afterschool as Part of the Solution
Afterschool and summer learning programs serve a diverse range of students and focus on the whole child, offering enriching activities that engage young people in hands-on learning and encourage them to try new things. Programs inspire career paths, offer a stage for expression, build collaboration skills, and provide a safe, supportive space.
Cross-Sector Collaboration
Partnership is a core value of all statewide afterschool networks. Seeking positive outcomes for underserved children to succeed in school and future jobs, statewide afterschool networks convene cross-sector leaders with a common vision and coordinated strategy to advance quality afterschool and summer learning programs. Networks often serve as a driving force in bringing stakeholders together to build public will and inform public policies to increase access to quality educational opportunities for children and youth. Partners from education, business, state government, philanthropy, law enforcement, health, and nonprofits join with networks to strengthen opportunities for youth and sustain high-quality programs over time.
Increasing Opportunities for Young People
Afterschool networks seek to ensure that children and youth have access to the quality afterschool and summer learning opportunities they need to succeed in school and in life. With networks established in all 50 states, they are focused on actively engaging decision-makers and partners to focus on key areas of impact that can help improve outcomes for students and contribute to stronger schools, families, and communities. This approach holds promise for building the capacity of programs—and the field—to have a positive and enduring impact on hundreds of thousands of children and families.
Areas of impact include:
- Education
- STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math)
- Workforce Readiness
- Prevention and Trauma-Informed Care
- Entrepreneurship
- Service
Supporting Afterschool Professionals and Programs
Statewide afterschool networks strengthen afterschool program quality with standards for programs, engaging curriculum, and professional development for afterschool educators. Networks are working to assure that high-quality content reaches programs through partnerships with National Geographic, STEM Next, Million Girls Moonshot, and more.
Networks are also leading providers of the Mizzen Education platform, which puts vetted, high-quality learning content directly into the hands of afterschool, summer, and out-of-school-time educators. Mizzen Education’s content partners include: Jazz at Lincoln Center, PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs, the Pulitzer Center, Learn Fresh, Arts Connection, VentureLab, and many others.
Connect with a network to learn how they are working to strengthen opportunities for youth across the country.
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