Research & Data
OPEL's mission is to influence policy and serve as a catalyst, convener, and clearinghouse for afterschool and expanded learning programs through advocacy, professional development, research and evaluation which will lead to quality improvement. This page serves as a compilation of existing research and evaluations that provide support for the field of afterschool, locally, statewide, and nationally.
Afterschool Programs
This fact sheet provides a small sampling of findings—from meta-analyses to program-level evaluations—that show that there is demonstrable evidence of the positive impact programs have on students’ academics, school-day attendance, engagement in learning, and behavior.
This report highlights the key findings of the survey data, addresses the demand for more programs and the persistence of an opportunity gap, and emphasizes the need for a wide range of supports and providers.
For every child enrolled in afterschool in Oklahoma, 4 more
are waiting for an available program.
In Oklahoma, unmet demand for afterschool programs has reached an all-time high, with more than 276,000 children who would be in a program if one were available to them. Demand for afterschool surges as parents see key benefits, including keeping kids safe, helping them learn, and providing peace of mind for working families.
21st Century Community Learning Centers
What does the research say about 21st Century Learning Community Centers? This fact sheet provides a small sampling of findings from evaluations of the federally-funded Community Learning Centers programs that demonstrate the positive impact programs across the country are having on students’ academics, school-day attendance, engagement in learning, and behavior.
Afterschool Matters!
Forging Futures with Oklahoma Youth
Afterschool, summer learning, and other
out-of-school-time (OST) programs are
a lifeline for youth and families across
our state. They help kids learn and grow,
keep them safe, allow parents to work
without worry, and build a strong future
workforce. OPEL brings
together partners and resources to
expand access to high-quality programs
for all youth.
The Impact of OST in Oklahoma
The Out-of-School Time Oklahoma Task Force, created in 2021 by House Bill 1882, studied the return on investments of afterschool programs across the state.
61,908
youth enrolled in
afterschool programs
1,205
programs serving 77 counties
Oklahoma parents rely on and value afterschool!
Every $1 invested in Oklahoma’s OST programs saves $3 by:
When crime prevention programs are included in this estimate, it can save Oklahoma between $8-$12 for each $1 invested.
But our state has never had enough programs for the families who need and want them. For every child enrolled in afterschool, 4 more are waiting for an available program.