Program Quality

TASC has identified the ten essential elements that define a high quality after-school program. TASC encourages after-school providers to use this common set of standards to assess, plan, design and execute strategies for ongoing program improvement. TASC contributed to the development of these standards by the New York State Afterschool Network (NYSAN).

TASC organizes its staff training selections around these ten categories:

A. Environment / Climate
A quality program provides a safe, healthy and nurturing environment for all participants.

B. Administration / Organization
A quality program has well-developed systems and sound fiscal management to support and enhance worthwhile programming and activities for all participants.

C. Relationships
A quality program develops, nurtures and maintains positive relationships and interactions among staff, participants, families and communities.

D. Staffing / Professional Development
A quality program recruits, hires and trains diverse staff members who value each participant, understand their developmental needs, and work closely with families, school partners, and co-workers.

E. Programming / Activities
A quality program provides a well-rounded variety of activities and opportunities that support the physical, social and cognitive growth and development of all participants.

F. Linkages Between Day and After-School
A quality program has its staff work closely with school staff to ensure that after-school academic components and activities are aligned with and enrich school standards and curricula.

G. Youth Participation / Engagement
A quality program provides opportunities for youth to participate in planning, to exercise choice and to engage in a rich variety of offerings.

H. Parent / Family / Community Partnerships
A quality program establishes a strong partnership with families and communities in order to achieve program goals.

I. Program Sustainability / Growth
A quality program has a coherent vision/mission and a plan for increasing capacity that supports continuing growth.

J. Measuring Outcomes / Evaluation
A quality program has a system for measuring outcomes and using that information for on-going program planning, improvement and evaluation.