After-School Programs Must Engage Interests, Parents, Students Say

While political discussion about after-school programs often focuses on how they can improve students’ academic performance, that goal is not the highest priority for most parents choosing such programs, a survey has found.

The report, released Nov. 16 by the New York City-based Public Agenda research group, found that low-income parents and those who are members of racial and ethnic minorities are more interested in an academic focus than are wealthier and white parents. They also are less content with their children’s after-school options.

Keeping children productively occupied during the summer emerged as a more vexing concern for parents than doing so after the school-closing bell rings. Nearly six in 10 parents said summer is the toughest time to make sure children have things to do. Only 14 percent picked after-school time...