Message from the Chair  

It is a pleasure to serve as Chair of the OST SIG. Out-of-School Time is an exciting and quickly growing area of research. We are united by an abiding and evidence-based belief that out-of-school time and after-school programs can provide optimal contexts for the learning, growth, talent development, and creativity of youth. As learning opportunities expand, some of the most interesting and important policy debates in education today relate to how schools and afterschool programs may become reconfigured. Last year we had many excellent presentations and interesting sessions, several of which were co-sponsored by the Informal Learning SIG, a partnership we hope may continue where mutually advantageous. There were numerous impressive and extensive research initiatives being conducted throughout the country presented in these sessions and in our business meeting. Our membership numbers are healthy and on the rise. It is essential to continue providing a forum for the sharing of vital information and resources; opportunities to present research questions, methods, and findings; and to make connections to those in related divisions and interest groups within AERA. We continue to seek opportunities to connect with, share, and profile youth organizations that promote positive development, as well as notable works and achievements of our members. Most of all, we are committed to continue SIG programming and events that honor the important perspective we collectively represent. You can read more about us and our activities in our newsletter. You can find a link to these to the left of the website.

David Shernoff, chair