Extended-Service Schools: Putting Programming in Place

Spurred by the desire to provide youth with safe havens in non-school hours, enhanced educational experiences, and other developmental opportunities, a movement to open up schools has taken root in cities across the country. More than just an attempt to take advantage of schools' resources and facilities, the movement aims to build a new kind of institution -- one that unites schools and community-based organizations to create vital centers of activity for children, youth, and their families. This interim evaluation report of the Wallace-Readers Digest Funds Extended-Service Schools Adaptation examines what it takes to get a community-oriented school-based youth program off the ground, the early challenges that can be expected, and how the ESS sites addressed their challenges.