WHEN TALKING about out-of-school time for economically disadvantaged students, consider two real-world numbers. 

80 percent. That is the portion of waking hours that students spend outside of school, often unsupervised. These after-school hours and summer days are when all kids, but particularly those from low-income families, face the greatest risks to their well-being. It’s also when low-income kids fall behind their wealthier peers academically. 

1.7 percent. That is the share of education funding that our country spends on out-of-school learning. Simply put, society has not historically prioritized learning beyond school, leaving unequal opportunity baked into our education system. If we are serious about closing the achievement gap and addressing the deepening mental health crisis, both of which the pandemic exacerbated, then it is time that our leaders at the local, state, and national levels focus on addressing this disparity, 

The good news is that we have a roadmap for spending additional resources, wisely and with purpose, on learning beyond school. In fact, Massachusetts drew the map with an early investment in after-school programs and a recent one in summer learning. With additional support, the measurable success in Boston, Springfield, and other Gateway Cities should be replicated and expanded across the Commonwealth.

Indeed, Massachusetts deserves praise for setting itself apart nationally by investing $20 million in federal pandemic recovery dollars in dynamic programs run by nonprofits that focus on enrichment. These organizations, which facilitate sports, arts, and nature activities, were particularly well suited to help young people rebound from the setbacks of the pandemic, engaging students based on their interests. This investment yielded strong results as hundreds of programs enrolled thousands of young people, boosting their academic performance, mental health, and even college and career readiness skills.  

Consider how the Springfield Empowerment Zone Partnership used state funds to create new partnerships with 24 community-based organizations, many of which are led by people of color from Springfield. In two years, more than 1,300 students have accessed after-school and summer programs as a direct result of this funding.

Promisingly, a recent analysis of national test scores showed participating students in summer 2023 programs saw 50 percent more gains in English language arts and 30 percent more gains in math than non-participants. Early results in the 2023-24 school year show that participants also have a chronic absenteeism rate that is 25 percent lower than non-participants.

These local results affirm the findings from national research about the effects of voluntary summer programs. A RAND longitudinal study of four US cities, including Boston, shows that high attending participants in comprehensive summer programs outperformed their peers in math, English language arts, and social-emotional skills. Furthermore, the Afterschool Alliance found that every dollar invested in quality after-school programs yields a $3 increase in earning potential, improving youth performance in school, and reducing crime and juvenile delinquency. 

For Boston After School & Beyond, which coordinates a data-driven network of 485 after-school and summer programs, state funding allowed it to expand its support to small grassroots organizations, many of which operate in playgrounds, parks, and schools close to where children live and are run by trusted adults familiar to families. With this local approach, state funding was disseminated equitably, reaching every neighborhood of the city, supporting programs that previously had limited access to such funding.

The Commonwealth should amplify its support for the state’s dynamic nonprofit sector to organize learning and skill development beyond school. There are states that are leading the way, and Massachusetts could be one of them. For example, California has invested $677 per pupil every year in statewide funding for out-of-school time. Massachusetts is on-track to invest just $14 per pupil next year. We are primed to scale our efforts with organizations that specialize in engaging and motivating students.

 As is evident in Boston and Springfield, we have a strategy, forged during the most challenging times, for ensuring that young people have the opportunities today that will prepare them to succeed tomorrow. Every young person deserves to have access to after-school and summer programs because school alone is no longer sufficient for closing opportunity and achievement gaps. The evidence is clear, and our experience makes clear that this approach can flourish in every city and region with additional investment.         

Chris Smith is the executive director of Boston After School & Beyond. Matthew Brunell is the co-executive director of the Springfield Empowerment Zone Partnership.