Supporting comprehensive, quality after-school programs as a cost effective investment to help students succeed in school, life and the workforce continues to be a priority of Governor Schwarzenegger and the Institute.
Both Schwarzenegger and Bonnie Reiss, Institute Global Director and former California Secretary of Education, have been leaders in the after-school field for over 25 years. In 1992 Schwarzenegger, with support from Reiss, launched the non-profit After-School All-Stars (ASAS) that serves tens of thousands low-income children in regions throughout the United States. Both Schwarzenegger and Reiss remain active in the organization to this day. Through their work at ASAS, and in other after-school centric organizations, they know firsthand the incredible impact these programs have on the children who participate.
Schwarzenegger also serves as the Honorary Chairman of the Afterschool Alliance and has worked with this organization to help publicize the importance of these programs and to protect the over $1 billion of annual federal funding which has been as risk a number of times in the past 20 years.
In 2002 Schwarzenegger led a successful statewide campaign for the passage of Proposition 49: The After-School Education and Safety Act which provides over $500 million a year to California public schools to keep their doors open from 3-6 pm. The extended school hours provide students with a safe place to stay and receive homework help, and take part in sports, STEM, Career Technical Education programs, as well as many other exciting pathways toward future success. The passage of this initiative made California the national leader in after-school education which research shows helps students’ attendance, grades, graduation rates and self-esteem.
To highlight the importance of after-school education the Institute recently participated in a documentary under production that is examining the history of after-school programs and their value to children, families and communities.
This coming April the Institute, in partnership with After-School All-Stars and the Afterschool Alliance and with the support of the Mott Foundation, will host a National After-School Summit at USC. The theme of the summit is workforce development and over 400 educators and after-school providers, from every state in the nation, will take part in the summit.
Institute Continues Support for After-School Programs
