Time and time again, we hear about the harmful effects COVID-19 has left on the American education system, especially for today’s youngest minds. Students are still grappling with years of learning loss. As a resident of one of the hardest-hit communities, St. Louis, Missouri, reports reveal students need to learn about 150% of a typical year’s material to catch up. While it may seem impossible for students to reach standard academic levels, the solution is more straightforward than most think — having students spend more time in school through afterschool programs will curb learning loss, as students learn through various hands-on methods. The current elementary school system is not conducive to supporting students and working families. With students beginning the school day at 8 a.m. and averaging an ending time of 2:50 p.m., about 80% of students' waking hours are spent outside of school. Additionally, parents are often forced to cut into their working hours to pick up their kids, which is not feasible for most families. A key solution to countering learning loss and supporting working families is implementing high-quality afterschool programs in elementary schools across the country. Research consistently reveals that high-quality afterschool programs improve students’ attendance, interpersonal skills, and academic performance. Reports show that approximately 69% of students increase their homework completion and participation, and 62% improve their in-class behavior when enrolled in afterschool programs. Among low-income students, quality afterschool programs are linked to lower dropout rates and a reduction in achievement gaps that begin as early as elementary school. 

Beyond academic development, a crucial benefit of afterschool programs is their economic relief; as these programs ensure that children have a safe place to go after the school day ends but working hours continue. Currently, it is estimated that parents without access to childcare miss about eight days of work. This results in an annual economic loss of up to $300 billion due to decreased worker productivity. When students have a place to stay until 5pm, parents do not have to worry about leaving their children alone at home or going to pick them up during the working day. 

In terms of student benefit, afterschool programs provide a way for students to participate in educational activities, sports, and much more to form positive in-school relationships. With clear positive results, 80% of parents across the political spectrum support implementing afterschool programs, making it feasible to pass legislation due to bipartisan support. 

In terms of implementation, the most effective way to require schools to have afterschool programs is to start at the federal level and work down to the state level. If Congress develops a bill that requires schools to have an afterschool program, there would be across the aisle support, therefore increasing the likelihood of the bill getting passed in both the House and Senate. After the bill gains adequate support, the Department of Education would work alongside Congress to develop a playbook that lays out financial, logistical, and implementation steps at the district level to make the process of adding afterschool programs into school streamlined. After the playbook and bill are developed and passed, states will need to develop complementary bills to pass state legislation. With education policy happening at the state level, it is important to highlight key incentives for adding afterschool programs that provide return-on-investment (RIO). Afterschool programs have a significant RIO, with every $1 invested resulting in at least $3 saved through reducing crime and juvenile delinquency, improving academic performance, and ultimately increasing youth’s earning potential.

A concern that holds school districts back is staffing afterschool programs; however, a way to resolve this problem is employing students in the same district that go to close by high schools. With 37% of 16- to 19-year-olds wanting afterschool jobs, this demographic serves as the perfect solution to solve staffing problems as students can take on afterschool jobs alongside teachers. Legally, schools would need to host a training session for high schoolers to ensure they are able to safely care for the students participating in aftercare. 

Furthermore, there is significant demand for these afterschool programs. Data shows that 10.2 million students are currently enrolled in afterschool programs and 19.4 million students are still waiting to enroll. Polling even shows that 5 in 6 parents support federal funding for afterschool programs because they see the limitless benefits of afterschool programs, such as child safety, improved academic achievement and interdisciplinary skills, increased RIO, and economic benefits. Since parents are strong advocates for afterschool programs being funded by their tax dollars, district and federal leaders need to represent their constituents by federally funding these afterschool programs.