Allegheny Partners for Out-of-School Time (APOST) recently released a free, online resource known as the OST Evaluation Toolkit that is designed to be a hub of tools for out-of-school time (OST) providers implementing evaluation practices.
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The toolkit, which was based on the findings of a cohort of OST organizations in Allegheny County, is broken down into various sections, such as:
Introduction
Evaluation Basics
Methods
Case Studies
Resources
The toolkit was created because the OST sector faces an ongoing need for sustainable support and resources to implement quality programming for the region’s youth.
It offers evaluation best practices developed by the OST itself and aims to help providers to evaluate their programs, generate data, collaborate toward shared goals, and secure sustainable support.
The Evaluation Basics section covers such topics as voluntary attendance - whether young people choose to be in OST programs - and the diversity of offerings (sports leagues, arts programs, homework, nature clubs, or other programs).
The Methods section includes examples of data collection questions for program evaluation, such as whether youths feel that they have a voice in decision making in programs, whether there is a balance of power between youth and adults in the program, and whether programs make participants feel valued.
The toolkit also includes case studies and resources to support OST program evaluation.
The toolkit was created through a partnership between APOST and the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Education, and was funded by the McElhattan Foundation.
To learn more, check out APOST’s OST Evaluation Toolkit.