"A holistic approach to strengthening the family by providing educational
programs to children and their parents using a variety of strategies and resources."
Primary Outcomes: Children and Parents/ Families
Secondary Outcomes: Youth and Communities
Project Description
The purpose of this project is to provide children with the opportunity to maintain
and improve their academic performance, to facilitate life skill development, and
to improve the quality of life for children and their families. The Families and
Schools Together (FAST) program is offered to all Brookville Area School District
students in grades 1-6. Additional CYFAR programming was provided for parents, grandparents,
caregivers, and community members at large during Year 4.
In year 4, components of the CYFAR Program in Brookville included: The FAST After-School
Program for students in grades 1-6; Learn at Home newsletters for parents and guardians,
and a family bus trip to the Pennsylvania Farm Show. Enrollment in the FAST After-School
Program was limited to forty students in the 2000-2001 year. Sessions were held three
days a week for twenty-six weeks. Each session of FAST was divided into three main
parts: nutritious snack, study period, and a hands-on learning experience. During
the study period, Cooperative Extension Staff and volunteers provided students with
individual assistance with their homework. The learning activities included arts
and crafts; teambuilding and leadership games; and agriculture, drug & alcohol,
and nutrition programs.
Evaluation and Outcomes:
Key Impacts for Primary Outcome Acknowledging Methodology
Here are the major impacts of the programming: Of the thirty-seven students enrolled
in the FAST After-School Program during the first month of the program year, 73%
completed the program. There were thirty-four students in the program at the end
of the year. A total of 41 students were served on a regular basis during the program
year. Of the twenty-seven students who participated in the FAST After-School Program
all year, seventeen attended 80% or more of the sessions. Based on a comparison of
grades from the first grading period to the second, academic performance of the students
enrolled in the FAST After-School Program increased by at least one letter grade
in all subjects as follows: Reading 24%; Math 18%; Language 21%; Spelling
21%; Science & Health 21%; and Social Studies 27%. From the second to third
grading periods the following increases were reported: Math - 6%; Language 3%;
Science 6%; and Social Studies 3%, and from the third to the last grading period
there was a 3% increase in performance in Science. Based on quarterly teacher ratings,
27% of the students who completed the FAST After-School Program showed an increase
in homework completion from the first to the second grading period and a 15% increase
between the second and third grading periods. 24% of the students increased in the
accuracy of their homework between the first and second grading periods, and 12%
showed an increase between the second and third grading periods.
Based on quarterly teacher ratings, the 34 students who completed the FAST After-School
Program showed improvement in six selected life skills as follows: Decision Making
27%; Record Keeping 12%; Cooperation 24%; and Conflict Resolution 15%. A
few teachers stated that the FAST program was very beneficial, even to students who
typically got good grades. Several parents commented that the program had had a positive
influence on their childs attitude toward school, and many commented on how much
their kids liked going to FAST. Based on quarterly teacher ratings, 19% of the students
who completed the FAST After-School Program showed an increase in homework completion
during the course of the year. Based on quarterly teacher ratings, the 32 students
who completed the FAST After-School Program showed improvement in six selected life
skills as follows: Decision Making 24%; Communication 11%; Organization 22%;
Cooperation 37%; Conflict Resolution 11%; and Responsibility 22%.
Through participating in the Food, Land and People activities, 100% of the 31 students
were able to list at least one by-product of cattle that they use on a regular basis.
Because of participating in the Expanded Food and Nutrition Program, 100 % of the
32 students who completed the FAST After-School Program were introduced to a variety
of nutritious new foods and learned basic food facts. Of the 24 students who completed
an evaluation on the Talking With TJ program, 79% were able to describe positive
ways they should treat people who are different from them, 63% could state at least
1 of the 3 tips for making a plan, and 67% could state at least 1 of the 3 tips for
making a good team as taught in the program. Based on a basic word processing and
internet skills assessment conducted at the beginning of the program and again at
the end, 90% of the students who participated in 83% or more of the computer sessions
increased by at least 1 point in 6 of the 11 skills tested. Parents who participated
in a focus group stated that they liked everything about the FAST After-School Program,
and the major change they recommended was to hold the program on more days each week.
One hundred percent of the adults who participated in the computer program stated
that it was excellent and that they learned a lot. One hundred percent of the participants
said they would attend if it were offered again next year.
Perceived Impacts for Secondary Outcome Area of Youth and Communities:
Twenty children, youth, and adults went on a field trip to the Pennsylvania Farm
Show. It was the first time that most of them had been there, and they all reported
that they learned a lot about Pennsylvania agriculture and had fun. Approximately
100 children, youth, and adults attended a Family Fun Event/Awards Program to mark
the end of the FAST After-School program. Based on staff observations, there was
very positive interaction between family members and among the group at large. Several
of the parents expressed appreciation for the program and some of the specific projects.
Plan for Sustainability
The same program model will be used during year 5 of the program, but some new
techniques will be used to increase student performance. CYFAR staff will continue
to work closely with the Brookville School District personnel. Reports with teacher
and parent impact statements will be included in a report presented to the school
board of directors at the beginning of the 2001-2002 school year with a request that
they consider including the after-school program in their 2002-2003 budget. CYFAR
staff members plan to purchase a digital camera and camcorder to record more of the
student's activities and use the pictures for publicity with potential supporters/funders.
CYFAR staff will also seek funding from sources outside the school district.
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