Should all after school programs be free of charge?
After school programs are beneficial to both students and their families for various reasons. Students get the chance to receive help with their academics from certified paraprofessionals and teachers. Also they are exposed to a myriad of enrichments such as coding, cooking, art, science, agriculture, basketball, rugby, and soccer. Parents benefit from after school programs by not having to worry about their Childs whereabouts. In the society we live in there are a lot of wicked people who pray on young children. Some after school programs across the United States are free of charge while others cost. Should all after school programs be free of charge?
After school programs should be free because there is more than enough government funding available. However, in order for an organization to receive grants such as the 21st century only provide funding which usually covers enough financially to have a program. The grant generally isn't enough to pay outside contractors who teach enrichment classes in after school programs. The 21st Century grant is worth between $90,000 and $150,000. City Life Center in Gary, Indiana is an after school program that was awarded $200,000 back in 2017. Kilby Elementary school in Virginia is another after school program that received over $200,000 in grants. So this raises the question why don't school is Oakland, CA receive the same kinds of grants given the cost of living is so high? Parents can barely afford after school care. Therefore, it should be free.
In addition to after school programs providing students with quality homework support from certified educators they allow introverted students the opportunity improve their social skills. Interacting with fellow classmates in classroom sizes of 25-30 can be difficult. After school program class sizes are usually 15-20. Shy students are more comfortable engaging with their peers in smaller settings.
Which enrichments do students gravitate towards more? More students gravitate towards sport based enrichments seems more alluring. However, enrichments such as coding and beat production can expose students to their possible career path. Giving students lots of enticing options is what makes a good after school program. Tori DeANGELIS who writes for the American Psychological Association noted the importance of providing kids with enticing enrichments and opportunities to develop leadership skills. Professional athletes go on to have successful careers but still are passionate about education.
Tony Drovetto who is the content manger for the Seattle Seahawks wrote an excellent article about former NFL players Marshawn Lynch and Cliff Avril who helped build an elementary school in Haiti. Haiti has a special place in Avril's heart given his parents emigrated from there when he was a young kid. The pair opened the school in 2016. Below is look at the school and the process involved in building it.
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Lynch maintained a 3.0 GPA while attending college at the University of California and made the honor roll. Making the honor showed that he valued his education and didn't settle a bare minimum GPA to get by. The University of California is known for its rigorous coursework load. However, the workload didn't seem to phase Lynch one bit.
In conclusion, after school programs should be free because they keep youth out of the streets and doing lots of positive things. Parents don't have to worry about their children's whereabouts. There are lots of grants available to after school program organizations such as the 21st century grant, childcare and development fund, Federal Food and Nutrition Programs, and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. Instead of building expensive high rise apartment complexes more should be invested into California's after school programs.
