University of Missouri Program Facilitates After-School Learning for Youths of Missouri

October 28, 2011

by Patty O Brian

Columbia, MO – October 28, 2011 – (RealEstateRama) — In the U.S., 72% of the youth have parents that work full time. Since many of the schools dismiss students several hours before the workday ends for the parents, most kids are left unsupervised or without care until the parents get home. University of Missouri Extension is develops a program to ensure that school-age kids in Missouri gain access to after high-quality programs after their school.

MASN or also known as Missouri After School Network develops systems throughout Missouri that support, improve and sustain after-school programs for school-age children. Established in 2002 with a Charles S. Mott Foundation grant, MASN aims to foster relationship and provides resource to make quality after-school programs. In Missouri, only 12% of school-age kids partake in the after-school programs, but about 30% more would join if the program were made available in their communities as well.

The network operates to 271 after-school programs around Missouri. Service features onsite technical assistance to develop the quality of the program and training for the program facilitators on an extensive range of topics, including interacting with children that require special care, providing developmentally suitable lessons, and keeping a safe environment. MASN also collaborates with the Missouri School-Age Community Coalition, a professional association for after-school program providers.

An example of the correlation between the school and the after-school learning program is Project LIFTOFF, an initiative to improve the levels of technology, science, engineering and mathematics (STEM) learning. The aim of the project is to motivate student to learn & pursue opportunities in STEM-related fields, which are recognized to produce economic growth. Project LIFTOFF include training to after-school facilitators on different curricula, such as lessons about the solar system, kits for making machine models, & informal math and science lectures.

MASN is mainly funded by Charles S. Mott Foundation, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education & the Noyce Foundation.

For more information, contact Samantha Craven at (573) 882-9144

Patty O Brian – Columbia MO Luxury Properties
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