When it comes to the intellectual development of our children, the hours outside the school day are just as important as time spent in the classroom. Summer time learning loss is largely responsible for the achievement gap between children from middle-income families and those from families with greater need.
The afterschool hours offer their own problems—kids are more likely to engage in high-risk behavior between 3 and 6 pm than at any other time during the day. But there’s also potential in those hours. What if the children of Nebraska spent this out-of-school time in stimulating, learning-rich environments? That’s the goal of our work in middle childhood.
Want to know more about our efforts to improve access to and quality of after-school and summer learning programs?
Ways to keep Nebraska’s kids learning this summer.
STEM 101: Why science, technology, engineering and math matters
Poverty and the achievement gap
STEM year of discovery in Nebraska
Shining a light on how poverty affects students’ ability to learn.
Exploring programs to make school-age kids more resilient and empathetic.
Growing the Good Life 
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