This report about YouthReach's 2008 programming shares student completed surveys evaluating the effectiveness and success of YouthReach programs. We find namely, that the majority of students who participated have better feelings towards themselves, find themselves caring more about others, and feel more capable of making friends after completing one semester of the program.

This report provides a brief introduction to the role of the arts in after school programs. It consists of a brief summary of recent research findings about both arts and after school programs, a description of the key elements of successful programs and some key examples that showcase partnerships between schools and community-based organizations.

The goal of the CPS Arts Education Plan is to bring arts education to every child in every CPS school. While the work to expand arts instruction across Chicago Public Schools is ongoing, this report can provide context and construct for a new beginning. By understanding what arts resources existed in schools during the first year of the CPS Arts Education Plan, Ingenuity has established the baseline and can now track progress each year. Beginning in the fall of 2014, annual progress reports will publish changes in instructional time, staffing, partnerships, and funding. Doing so will shed

The arts are a vital element of a 21st century education . Research conducted over the past decade shows that exposure to an education in the arts significantly decreases dropout rates, improves the likeli - hood of entering college, increases civic engagement, and ultimately promotes financial success throughout a person’s life-time . The role of the arts in securing these results lies largely in the way it stimu - lates innovation, creativity, and critical thinking, all essential skills in our world today . In order to expand and improve arts education for CPS students, we must

Suppose afterschool arts programs tried a marketplace model to get more low-income, urban young people involved in the arts. That would make youngsters the programs’ “consumers” – with many options for their time and attention – and suggest the wisdom of finding out what these potential customers actually want.