Out-of-School Time Cost Study
Very little is known about what resources are required to operate high-quality Out-of-School Time (OST) programs. The last comprehensive study of OST program costs was published in 2009 and, although this landmark effort provided the first-available resource-based estimates of OST program costs, the data underlying the estimates are dated and may not reflect advances in the field with respect to quality programming.
Our Study
The purpose of this study is to develop timely and relevant estimates of OST program costs and the funding necessary to support high-quality OST programs. The study considers both the cost of building quality programs and how costs vary according to program model, participant populations, program location, and staffing structures.
Our methods for this study include:
- Reading literature on what constitutes as a high-quality program, the typologies of different OST programs and the resources they need, and roles and responsibilities in the field;
- Convening external and internal expert group advisory panels to inform the work and ensure relevancy to the field;
- Conducting a needs assessment to understand how to design the revised cost calculator to best support the field; and
- Surveying a sample of OST programs across the nation to understand the costs and resources they use.
Practice Guides
The project produced two practice guides that highlight what goes into operating a high-quality OST program, such as the practices they follow and the staff and volunteers they engage.
Evidence-Based Practices for OST Programs
The purpose of this first practice guide is to help make evidence use more accessible for professionals and to support professionals who need or want to incorporate evidence into their program.
OST Staff Roles and Responsibilities
This second practice guide highlights a list of common roles and responsibilities that can support the field in clarifying career pathways and investing in professional development. We also offer a starting point for developing shared definitions of more role classifications for OST workers.
