"Lack of Interest" Reason Why Teens Don't Use After School Programs
Colorado Springs, Colo. – Four-in-ten teens (40.5%) who do not attend after-school programs say it is because they simply are not interested in what is being offered, according to a new poll from JA WorldwideTM. In contrast, about one-in-ten teens say they do not participate because of cost (11.9%) or lack of transportation (11.6%). Overall, 44.7 percent of respondents say they attend after-school programs other than sports, while 55.3 percent do not. Of those teens who do participate in after-school programs, nearly two-thirds (62.1%) do so at their schools, such as in a gym or cafeteria; nearly one-in-five (18.1%) participate at a church or place of worship; and fewer than one-in-ten (8.6%) participate in a traditional after-school setting, such as a YMCA, Boys & Girls Club or similar facility.
The survey of 1,200 youths between the ages of 13 and 18 was conducted by Newton Research for JA Worldwide in March 2006. The survey has a margin of error of +/- 3 percent.
“These results underscore the need to make the content of after-school programs for youth more compelling in order to encourage more teens to participate,” said Dr. Darrell A. Luzzo, senior vice president of education for JA Worldwide. “We have an obligation to provide young people with personal and educational growth opportunities in the after-school setting that they might not otherwise receive in the traditional classroom environment. In order to do that effectively we need to offer programs that are both educational and compelling enough to capture teens’ interest.”
When asked what factors would increase their interest in after-school activities, the overwhelming majority of teens said they would be interested in after-school programs that offer opportunities for college scholarships (94.3%), followed by programs where they can earn college credit (92.1%). Teens were also interested in programs that help them perform better in school (76.8%), develop leadership skills (76.4%), teach them how to work with money and budgets (75.6%) and how to run a business (69.1%).
The survey was conducted in conjunction with the launch of JA AfterschoolTM, a national initiative dedicated to meeting the need for hands-on, quality educational experiences for K-12 students beyond traditional classroom hours. JA It’s My Business!, one of three new JA Afterschool programs, teaches entrepreneurial skills to students in grades six, seven, and eight, while providing a strong focus on social studies, reading, and writing skills.
JA Afterschool programs are provided free of charge to students and are taught by after-school program staff or volunteers from the community. JA Afterschool programs are turn-key, meaning JA provides volunteer training and all of the program materials necessary to manage each session. To find out more, visit afterschool.ja.org.
About JA WorldwideTM (Junior Achievement)
JA Worldwide is the world's largest organization dedicated to educating young people about business, economics and entrepreneurship. Through a dedicated volunteer network, JA Worldwide provides in-school and after-school programs for students in grades K-12. JA Worldwide offers educational programs that focus on seven key content areas: business, citizenship, economics, entrepreneurship, ethics/character, financial literacy, and career development. Today, 142 offices reach approximately four million students in the United States, with more than three million students served by operations in 96 countries worldwide. For more information, visit www.ja.org.
Copyright © JA Worldwide™ 2006
7/17/06
