| Title: |
Taking Literacy Skill Building to Scale in OST Programs: A Three-Tiered Approach from the Philadelphia Out-of-School Time Literacy and Quality Improvement Initiative |
| Language: |
English |
| Authors: |
Patricia McGuinness-Carmichael; Karen B. O’Neill; Kathryn A. Wheeler |
| Source: |
Afterschool Matters. 2026 (40):48-52. |
| Availability: |
National Institute on Out-of-School Time. Wellesley Centers for Women, 106 Central Street, Wellesley, MA 02481. Tel: 781-283-2547; Fax: 781-283-3657; e-mail: niost@wellesley.edu; Web site: http://www.niost.org |
| Peer Reviewed: |
Y |
| Page Count: |
5 |
| Publication Date: |
2026 |
| Document Type: |
Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive |
| Education Level: |
Elementary Education |
| Descriptors: |
Literacy; Extracurricular Activities; Elementary School Teachers; Faculty Development; Communities of Practice; Program Descriptions; Skill Development; Educational Practices; Video Technology |
| Geographic Terms: |
Pennsylvania (Philadelphia) |
| Abstract: |
Research indicates that out-of-school time (OST) programs have the capacity to support literacy skill development and can provide a comfortable environment where youth can build excitement about literacy (Afterschool Alliance, 2015). Providing literacy-rich environments outside the school classroom where children can practice and enhance their literacy skills has been a priority for the City of Philadelphia and the William Penn Foundation. From 2019 through 2023, with generous funding from the William Penn Foundation, the National Institute on Out-of-School Time (NIOST) implemented a model of training and support for OST professionals that focused on developing literacy-rich OST environments through training, coaching, and ongoing support in a community of practice (CoP). This article provides an overview of an effective intervention model using a combination of well-practiced professional development strategies that assisted staff to successfully incorporate light-touch literacy practices in their everyday OST program activities. |
| Abstractor: |
ERIC |
| Entry Date: |
2026 |
| Accession Number: |
EJ1495919 |
| Database: |
ERIC |