We are launching a new blog about out-of-school quality environments for youth. What a mouthful. First, what is out-of-school time? Out-of-School Time (OST) is a developing field of providers of programs for children and youth that range from childcare to enrichment to before and after school programs. These programs are diverse, take place in all kinds of locations and cover all kinds of activities such as sports or arts camps to remedial or specialized academic programs.
What are Quality Environments for Youth? This is a developing understanding of what it takes to provide a positive environment for children and youth to develop social and emotional skills, learn in non-traditional ways, and have an overall positive experience.
These environments are urban, suburban, and rural. They serve children and youth living in poverty and comfort.
This blog will be a place of opinion, conversation, special guest writers and who knows, some good engaging conversation.
What is Out-of-School Time?
ReplyDeleteIf out-of-school time means time not spent in school, then many many hours qualify as OST. I think the field known as OST, which generally includes after school programs and summer camps, could benefit from broadening its horizons.
Part of developing a 'field' is promoting and unifying its workforce, I suppose. In that sense, perhaps individuals who work in other OST activities, such as teaching curriculum units to home schooled children, or teaching literacy to disconnected youth, or giving guitar lessons to young people, don't have such a unified voice.
However all of these individuals who come into contact with a young person form the matrix that is his or her life. I propose that this blog become a place where all people from the world of 'not school' can share ideas, discuss, debate and learn.