The Advantages of After-school Programs

In Kentucky, about 126,622 kids are left alone after school (Afterschool Alliance, 2019). Children could feel pressured at this time to engage in unsafe activities like breaking the law or skipping classes. Students are more likely to succeed when they are given a useful organized curriculum. Many young kids’ lives now revolve on after-school activities, which come in a variety of forms to accommodate a wide range of children. After-school programs aid in offering educational support and enjoyable activities to children in Kentucky and around the country. Although there is a great need for after-school activities, financing varies from state to state. Kentucky has set aside $17,906,795 for students engaged in after-school activities, but this amount does not provide support for all of the state’s children (21st Century Community Learning Centers, 2019). To help Kentucky’s youngsters, these initiatives need funding.

Afterschool Programs’ Effects in Kentucky

Recently, after-school activities have been added to support education. Many of today’s youngsters may claim to have taken part in some kind of program, whether it is athletics, mentorship, or after-school tutoring. These programs provide adolescents with a resource in the community to turn to whether they need help with their academics, peer and adult mentorship, or just a simple enriching activity. After-school activities not only provide youngsters a place to express themselves but also help keep other kids and at-risk teenagers out of danger. Due to the availability of after-school activities, juvenile arrests have fallen by almost 70% since 2000. (Afterschool Alliance, 2019). Parents may feel secure knowing that their children are safe and engaged thanks to after-school activities. Although these programs have a significant influence on communities all around Kentucky, not all children can participate because of a lack of financing. Funding is a problem since 104,693 students are waiting for an after-school program (Afterschool Alliance, 2019). The other 86,786 kids who don’t have access to free after-school activities are covered by Kentucky’s allotted $17,906,795. The young of Kentucky need to be supported with more money.

Afterschool Programs’ Results

Amounts allocated for afterschool programs will provide thousands of kids the chance to participate. Kids may learn communication and cooperation skills as well as explore new hobbies, subjects, and activities. High quality expanded learning opportunities are associated with improvements in social skills with peers, increased pro-social behavior, and decreases in aggression, misconduct (such as skipping school or picking fights), and illegal drug use, according to a study of after-school programs conducted by Deborah Vandell, Elizabeth Reisner, and Kim Pierce (2007).

Additionally, according to Vandell et al., kids who consistently participate in after-school activities had much higher test scores than students who are left alone after school (2007). The expected objectives of afterschool programs include increased academic engagement, interpersonal interactions, and life skills.

The Initiative

As previously said, 104,693 kids are waiting for afterschool activities. These kids will be responsible for covering the costs of several after-school programs. Many children, however, could attend the after-school activities they need without being restricted by a prohibitive cost if the program received more financing from taxes. The Kentucky State Cigarette Tax may be raised by $0.40, which would provide enough money for each kid to participate in a program at no cost. Kentucky sold 321.1 million packets of cigarettes for the 2019 fiscal year (Cross, 2019). In Kentucky, cigarettes are now subject to a $1.10 tax; adding the $0.40 tax would raise the amount due to $1.50. (Truth Initiative, 2018). The cost of after-school activities may reach $1,000 per kid, hence financing is needed in the amount of $104,693,000. (Afterschool Alliance, 2019). Every child enrolled may attend a free after-school program thanks to an additional $0.40 tax increase on 321.1 million packs of cigarettes, which would generate $128,440,000 for after-school programs.

However, some readers may object to my suggestion, claiming that a forty cent tax hike will result in a decrease in cigarette sales. It is legitimate to worry about a decline in cigarette sales. 2018 saw a $0.50 tax hike on cigarettes, which resulted in a 10% decrease in sales (Cross, 2019). Even if sales decline by another 10%, 285.1 million packets may still be sold in a year and provide $114,040,000 for after-school activities. Cross continues by stating that many smokers in Kentucky reduced their smoking and pondered quitting following the tax rise in 2018. (2019). The decline in revenue could even encourage Kentucky to reduce its cigarette use. However, since nicotine is so addictive, many smokers will continue to purchase cigarettes, which helps pay for after-school activities. Overall, cigarette taxes may improve Kentuckians’ health and help pay for services. After-school activities continue get money, despite a decline in cigarette sales.

Justification

My idea would make it free for kids to participate in after-school activities, benefiting the communities of Kentucky. The issue of youth criminality, dangerous surroundings, academic progress, and psychological results would be solved by this plan. Additionally, it would demonstrate Kentucky’s commitment to its students’ education.

After school is out, many after-school activities often continue for a few hours. According to statistics, youth criminality occurs most often after school in the United States. According to the graph, the peak time for youth criminality is from 2 to 6 o’clock (Council for A Strong America, 2019). If children are not engaged in enriching activities, they may be more likely to participate in criminal activity in their neighborhoods. In Kentucky, children often spend the first several hours after school alone while their parents are at work. In Kentucky, almost 80% of parents claim that after-school activities keep their children out of trouble and 70% claim that they provide them peace of mind while they are at work (Afterschool Alliance, 2019). Due to a shortage of money, it is more difficult to locate these high-quality programs in the places where they are most needed. With financing for programs, Kentucky children might participate in free activities that would keep them safe and offer their parents peace of mind.

Especially in Kentucky, an opioid crisis is on the increase, making safe places scarce. In order to study or concentrate on their schoolwork without help, children may feel insecure at home. A after-school program designed by the Boys and Girls Club of Harlan County, Kentucky, focuses on educating, preventing, and helping kids impacted by the opioid epidemic (Afterschool Alliance, 2019). A community’s or a person’s particular requirements might be the focus of one of the various afterschool program variants. These kinds of activities have a huge impact on children’s lives. By offering these programs to the county’s youngsters, they have made the area safer and increased community and police officer confidence. Many children in Harlan County would feel vulnerable and dangerous at home without this service. Let Harlan County serve as an example of the beneficial effects after-school programs have on Kentucky’s students and how they help to build secure settings for children.

After-school program participants often do better academically in the classroom. According to Amy Magin Wong (2008)

Better attitudes toward school and higher educational aspirations, higher rates of attendance and fewer tardies, fewer disciplinary actions, such as suspension, lower dropout rates, better performance in school as measured by achievement test scores and grades, significant gains in academic achievement test scores, more on-time promotion, and improved home life are just a few of the ways that participation in afterschool programs affects academic performance.

These programs support kids in learning, comprehending, and developing an interest in new subjects while also helping to enforce improved educational practices. With instructors’ one-on-one experiential learning, children may put what they’ve learned in class into practice at their own speed and according to their learning preferences. After-school programs may be tailored to a child’s individual requirements, often providing the youngster with a positive experience. Programs that support young people’s intellectual growth should be financed by Kentucky.

After-school activities may help kids meet new people and form connections, which can help them engage socially. High-quality after-school programs should place equal emphasis on a child’s social development and academic accomplishment. “In a high-quality program, the focus is on developing virtues like respect and open-mindedness” (Smith 2017). Children engage naturally with their classmates and mentors when they learn new social skills, as mentioned in the statement. Nearly all of the instructors who participated in a study of more than 600 educators agreed that social and emotional development is crucial to children’s educational success (Afterschool Alliance, 2018). During after-school activities, students may develop close bonds with their instructors, which motivates them to study and feel secure. According to Afterschool Alliance (2018), programs can support the implementation and sustainability of social and emotional learning within their framework when they are able to integrate social and emotional learning into their mission and purposefully plan activities to develop students’ social and emotional skills and competencies.

After-school activities aid in the development of kids’ social skills and relationships. Without money, some kids’ developmental progress could be delayed.

Conclusion

The viability of after-school programs as a component of education has been established. After-school activities are essential for keeping kids out of problems including tardiness, poor attendance, and criminality (Wong, 2008). Children who participate in after-school activities are more likely to achieve in the aforementioned areas. Children are more likely to succeed in the future if they are enthusiastic about studying (Afterschool Alliance, 2018). Children who participate in after-school programs have more good outcomes overall than those who do not.

I firmly think that Kentucky’s youngsters will gain enormously from additional financing for after-school activities based on all of my arguments. Low-income families that cannot pay the usual charges connected with these services would greatly benefit from our plan. Everyone gains when after-school programs are used to their full capacity. If Kentucky adopted my approach, they would be demonstrating how much they care about the welfare of kids all around the state. Even if cigarette sales decline, the financing would still help Kentucky’s youngsters.