A Literacy New Deal: Partnering to Strengthen Literacy
Friday, January 21, 2022
ExpandED and the Partnership for Afterschool Education (PASE) convened a working group to discuss growing concerns about the state of young children's literacy levels in the wake of Covid-19. Since the start of the school year, it has become evident that more students need help with reading and writing. A new paper outlines ideas to further improve literacy along with action steps. Read full post
November is Family Literacy Month!
Thursday, November 18, 2021
November is National Family Literacy Month and we couldn’t be more excited! Partnership between schools, community-based programs and families is critical in supporting the holistic development of every child and this includes literacy. In the spirit of celebration, community and collaboration, the ExpandED Early Literacy Team wanted to share four ideas for engaging families and supporting literacy development at home during November and beyond. Read full post
Bringing an Anti-Racist Lens to STEM Afterschool Activities
Wednesday, November 17, 2021
During the summer of 2020, as the pandemic and racial violence elevated the conversation around equity and equality in education, ExpandED began to reconsider its afterschool STEM curriculum. Was it anti-racist? Did it lift students’ voices? Could all kids see themselves in the activities? The team running STEM Educators Academy (SEA) began reevaluating its program to ensure that it measured up to anti-racist standards. Fran Agnone, the SEA program director, discusses the effort. Read full post
Mental Health Check: 5 Ways to Boost Students Socially and Emotionally
Wednesday, November 3, 2021
Life in the wake of Covid may be returning to a semblance of normal, with students in school and parents heading to work. But experts say that the pandemic is having a lingering impact on young people’s mental health. Read full post
What We Learned: A Reflection on Professional Development in Preparation for the Year Ahead
Monday, October 4, 2021
It’s a new school year, and the afterschool world is excited to support young people and their families as schools and afterschool programs restart in-person learning experiences. While we are well aware of the many ongoing challenges, from staffing shortages to implementing protocols to ensure everyone stays safe and healthy, we are working our hardest to give programs exceptional training support. Read full post
ExpandED's 5-City Initiative Boosts Educator SEL Skills, Evaluation Finds
Friday, August 20, 2021
Despite the tumult caused by the pandemic, ExpandED and Every Hour Counts marked a successful year supporting afterschool educators around the country in their efforts to advance middle schoolers' social and emotional development, a recent evaluation indicates. Read full post
Summer Rises in Cypress Hills, Brooklyn
Tuesday, July 20, 2021
While school may not typically be kids' favorite place to spend their summer break, Summer Rising offers a welcome relief to the monotony and isolation caused by the pandemic. Read full post
Summer of Fun, Summer of Reading: Operation Literacy Turns the Page on Covid
Friday, June 4, 2021
This summer, Operation Literacy hopes to bring children back into the reading circle. The campaign seeks to raise $1 million to deliver literacy activities and reading support to K-8 students enrolled in Summer Rising, a school-based program that will embed fun learning activities into the camp day. Read full post
Oh Y.E.S. We Did! New Report about Summer Work Program Highlights the Power of Collaboration
Thursday, May 20, 2021
A year ago, a coalition of 100 partners came together to save a summer work program for young people. Today, we are thrilled to announce the report of a report that offers a wealth of information, reflection, and evidence of the coalition’s collective impact, with a number of key lessons for the field. Read full post
'Instructional Love' Offers an Educational Model for Black Boys Grounded in Love
Thursday, May 6, 2021
Biased perceptions among educators have resulted in devastating consequences for generations of Black boys. Experts at ExpandED are now working to advance a model that embraces the humanity of Black boys and recognizes their need for love and respect. Read full post
