ASSETs Interim Evaluation Report

California 21st Century High School After School Safety and Enrichment for Teens (ASSETs) Program — Interim Evaluation

By: Jerome Hipps, Marycruz Diaz, Greg Wingren

The California 21st Century High School After School Safety and Enrichment for Teens (ASSETs) Program is part of a statewide effort to address the underachievement of California youth by providing opportunities to become well adjusted adults and constructive citizens. California’s Superintendent of Public Instruction, Jack O’Connell, remarked that 1.7 million high school students are not reaching academic levels needed to succeed in the workplace, in college, or as effective citizens.

WestEd’s Interim Report discusses findings from its evaluation of the ASSETs Program, focusing on data about the characteristics of after school programs for high school students. Organized around promising practices to support student academic achievement and to engage students in planning and participating in the high school after school projects, the report highlights evidence of projects using positive strategies to:

• Strengthen youths' sense of connection to the school community, adults, and peers;
• Link the regular school day's academic program to after school activities; and
• Promote increasing participation and positive youth development in multiple ways.

Students cited benefits from academic supports received through the ASSETs Program including access to computers and from exposure to life skills and career choices.

The ASSETs Final Evaluation Report includes a focus on the impact of after school programs on their participants and high schools compared to similarly situated students not involved with the ASSETs Program.