Superintendent of Schools

Board of Broward County, Florida. In its third year of operation, the YES program is an academic and tutorial after-school program that serves at-risk youths at seven Boys and Girls Clubs in Broward County. The program employs certified Broward County Public School (BCPS) teachers and uses computer-assisted instruction and small group instructor-led activities to improve the educational and social skills of participating students. The attached report examines program implementation and the impact of the after-school program on student achievement, absences, and student self-esteem during the 2002-03 school year. Findings revealed several barriers to the implementation of the YES program in 2002-03. The limited role of the program coordinator contributed to inconsistent program implementation across the participating clubs and a lack of academic alignment between the BGCs and students schools. Enrollment levels were below the program target and students exhibited low attendance rates at all seven clubs. As a result, a recommendation is made to improve the accountability of the program coordinator to ensure that program components are implemented consistently at the seven program sites and in accordance with program design. This recommendation also establishes a stronger and more effective link between BGC program instruction and BCPS goal