Why Afterschool Matters

By Ingrid A. Nelson | Publisher: Rutgers University Press

About the book

Increasingly, educational researchers and policy-makers are finding that extracurricular programs make a major difference in the lives of disadvantaged youth, helping to reduce the infamous academic attainment gap between white students and their black and Latino peers. Yet studies of these programs typically focus on how they improve the average academic performance of their participants, paying little attention to individual variation.
 
Why Afterschool Matters takes a different approach, closely following ten Mexican American students who attended the same extracurricular program in California, then chronicling its long-term effects on their lives, from eighth grade to early adulthood. Discovering that participation in the program was life-changing for some students, yet had only a minimal impact on others, sociologist Ingrid A. Nelson investigates the factors behind these very different outcomes. Her research reveals that while afterschool initiatives are important, they are only one component in a complex network of school, family, community, and peer interactions that influence the educational achievement of disadvantaged students.
 
Through its detailed case studies of individual students, this book brings to life the challenges marginalized youth en route to college face when navigating the intersections of various home, school, and community spheres. Why Afterschool Matters may focus on a single program, but its findings have major implications for education policy nationwide.

Editions of Why Afterschool Matters

Hardcover
ISBN 9780813584942
Paperback
ISBN 9780813584935
PDF
ISBN 9780813584966

Read an Excerpt

Increasingly, educational researchers and policy-makers are finding that extracurricular programs make a major difference in the lives of disadvantaged youth, helping to reduce the infamous academic attainment gap between white students and their black and Latino peers. Yet studies of these programs typically focus on how they improve the average academic performance of their participants, paying little attention to individual variation.
 
Why Afterschool Matters takes a different approach, closely following ten Mexican American students who attended the same extracurricular program in California, then chronicling its long-term effects on their lives, from eighth grade to early adulthood. Discovering that participation in the program was life-changing for some students, yet had only a minimal impact on others, sociologist Ingrid A. Nelson investigates the factors behind these very different outcomes. Her research reveals that while afterschool initiatives are important, they are only one component in a complex network of school, family, community, and peer interactions that influence the educational achievement of disadvantaged students.
 
Through its detailed case studies of individual students, this book brings to life the challenges marginalized youth en route to college face when navigating the intersections of various home, school, and community spheres. Why Afterschool Matters may focus on a single program, but its findings have major implications for education policy nationwide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Why Afterschool Matters about?

Increasingly, educational researchers and policy-makers are finding that extracurricular programs make a major difference in the lives of disadvantaged youth, helping to reduce the infamous academic attainment gap between white students and their black and Latino peers. Yet studies of these programs typically focus on how they improve the average academic performance of their participants, paying little attention to individual variation.
 
Why Afterschool Matters takes a different approach, closely following ten Mexican American students who attended the same extracurricular program in California, then chronicling its long-term effects on their lives, from eighth grade to early adulthood. Discovering that participation in the program was life-changing for some students, yet had only a minimal impact on others, sociologist Ingrid A. Nelson investigates the factors behind these very different outcomes. Her research reveals that while afterschool initiatives are important, they are only one component in a complex network of school, family, community, and peer interactions that influence the educational achievement of disadvantaged students.
 
Through its detailed case studies of individual students, this book brings to life the challenges marginalized youth en route to college face when navigating the intersections of various home, school, and community spheres. Why Afterschool Matters may focus on a single program, but its findings have major implications for education policy nationwide.

What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Why Afterschool Matters?

Society and Social Sciences > Education / Educational sciences / Pedagogy > Schools and pre-schools > Secondary schools

Where can I read a sample of Why Afterschool Matters?

You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780813584942

Is Why Afterschool Matters part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?

Yes it is a part of series Rutgers Series in Childhood Studies

Who is/are the Author/s of the book Why Afterschool Matters?

Ingrid A. Nelson

Who is the Publisher of the book Why Afterschool Matters?

Rutgers University Press

What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?

Why Afterschool Matters is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780813584942) and paperback(ISBN 9780813584935) and pdf(ISBN 9780813584966)

Where can I buy Why Afterschool Matters online or support local independent bookshops?

You can buy Why Afterschool Matters from below

Where can I buy Why Afterschool Matters?