Stimulating young minds

THERE'S hardly an issue of

Education Week,

the foremost national education policy publication, that doesn't mention that the U.S. has fallen behind other industrialized nations in academic performance. And hardly a week goes by without media coverage of an unfortunate incident involving unsupervised teens.

Could one antidote help address these two problems? At ASAP/After School Activities Partnerships, we believe after-school enrichment activities can engage young people with mentors who offer positive role models and skills that can last a lifetime.

With the mission to increase the number of after-school activities in Philadelphia to keep kids safe and involved, ASAP has been recruiting volunteers and organizations to lead clubs since 2002 - serving more than 20,000 Philadelphia youth in K-12 (6,000 in '08-'09).

ASAP knows firsthand the need - an estimated 45,000 Philadelphia young people unsupervised in the dangerous hours from 3 to 6 p.m. - and the benefits of after-school enrichment: increased academic achievement and attendance, self-discipline, respect for rules and guidelines, and better relationships with peers and adults.

Arne Duncan, the federal secretary of education, is determined to deal with the low achievement of kids, particularly in urban areas.

One of his major imperatives is an extended school day, and he gives examples of enrichment programs to teach kids in nontraditional ways. He speaks directly to the mission of ASAP facilitating sustained after-school activities (chess, Scrabble, debate, drama, art, dance, yoga) in safe places that teach skills.

In '08-'09, ASAP facilitated more than 400 clubs in schools, community and recreation centers, and libraries, wherever kids gather after school, including the Youth Study Center, where juveniles waiting for trial participate in chess and Scrabble clubs.

Research shows that after-school programs are deterrents to negative behaviors, and principals report that students involved in after-school programs see the consequences of their actions and are less likely to become involved in risky behavior.

They also provide a hook for students who, through extracurricular activities, will have increased motivation, confidence and willingness to learn.

There is no question that the 4,000 students in grades 1-12 playing weekly in ASAP's Philadelphia Youth Chess Challenge have developed a positive identification with a like-minded, diverse group of peers.

Dominic Fleming Penn spends most of his free time studying chess moves and trying to figure out how to beat his toughest opponent - his chess coach at the Blankenburg School.

Dominic's hard work and determination has paid off. In March, he and 50 other Chess Challenge players (sponsored through ASAP) spent three days at the State Scholastic Chess Championships in Carlisle, Pa., bringing 16 trophies back to seven Chess Challenge clubs.

For many kids like Dominic, it was their first time at a state-wide competition and their first time in a hotel. But he didn't stop there. The next month, Dominic helped his team take home five honors at the National Junior High Chess Championships in Dallas.

AFTER-school activities like chess keep kids like Dominic on the right path.

As government cutbacks threaten so many worthwhile programs, let's keep after-school activities a priority - stimulating young minds for the future, one afternoon at a time.

Maria J. Walker is executive director of ASAP/After School Activities Partnerships. Marciene S. Mattleman is president of ASAP and KYW Newsradio's education reporter.