Academic Enrichment

	Homework » Because TASC programs are primarily located in schools, they are perfectly situated to coordinate after-school activities with kids' school-day studies. That connection is made each day through homework help. Every TASC program includes a daily homework period when staff members guide students through assignments that reinforce the day's lessons, and help kids prepare for what's coming next.

Dynamic after-school programs provide students with academic enrichments that reinforce what kids learn during the day. But they also appeal to learners of every kind, by employing the less formal after-school time to help kids learn in ways that can be playful, thought-provoking and relevant to kids' real-life experiences. While after-school curriculum is carefully designed and rooted in proven best practices, learning can happen in low-pressure ways extended over weeks or months, so that every kid knows how it feels to achieve. And no one ever gets a bad report card in after-school.

TASC encourages all programs to include literacy and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) projects. TASC provides materials including after-school lending libraries and gardening gear. It connects program leaders with organizations that offer curriculum tailored to the after-school environment.

TASC trains frontline staff members to lead kids through projects that keep them motivated, engaged and eager to come to school each day. Kids typically learn through hands-on activities that cross disciplines and support their understanding of core subjects. In one recent such project, grade school students researched global warming, wrote a skit, videotaped the performance, then learned to use iMovie editing software to create a finished product.

Program leaders have wide latitude to build in specialized academic supports and tutoring, such as prep for high school admissions tests. After-school staff members, including teachers, interact with other teachers and school-day staff on the progress of individual students, their attendance, their family involvement and other issues key to kids’ success. They also cooperate on the shared use of school facilities, including computer labs, libraries and art studios.