Skip to content

A Snapshot of OST Programs in Philadelphia: An Evaluation of Eleven 21st Century Community Learning Center Grantees

21st Century Community Learning Center (21st CCLC) grants are designed to support out-of-school time (OST) programs that provide academic support for youth attending high-poverty, under performing schools. The programs also offer enrichment activities such as art and music, recreation, and career and technical education. Pennsylvania has funded 21st CCLC programs since 1998, and the 2011-12 awards are Pennsylvania’s sixth cohort of grantees. Of the Philadelphia organizations awarded 21st CCLC grants, 11 OST providers selected Research for Action (RFA) as their local evaluator.
RFA conducted a mixed-methods evaluation that examined student demographics, elements of program quality, and important student outcomes. We report aggregated findings in this report, and provide a set of recommendations for program improvement.