Building Evaluation Capacity in Afterschool Programs

CGR collaborated with Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Erie, Niagara, and Southern to expand its evaluation capacity. CGR assisted BBBS with designing an analytical framework to evaluate student outcomes by investigating student grade trends among 3rd through 8th graders in eight Greater Buffalo area schools over two school years (2021-2022 and 2022-2023). We also examined one year (2022-2023) of BBBS Youth Outcome Survey responses from Maryvale Central School District participants, looking at responses pre and post program to assess changes in positive and negative socio-emotional behaviors. CGR also helped the program select from a set of validated socio-emotional learning (SEL) and academic assessments validated by Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago. CGR reviewed over a dozen SEL assessments and ten academic assessments and advised BBBS, which selected one of each to use for its onsite programs.

Findings from the student grade and Youth Outcome Survey analyses show that Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie, Niagara and Southern Tier participants experienced positive but small academic and socio-emotional gains between 2021-2022 and 2022-2023. Average grades in ELA, Math and All Core Subjects have improved since 2021-2022 and these results were attained across partner schools. This engagement was funded by the Cullen Foundation in Buffalo, New York.

To learn more contact Donna Harris. 

April 18, 2024 CGR Briefs Edition