Supplemental Tools

Building on the QSA Tool and similar afterschool standards in other states, organizations have developed specialized standards that target specific programming areas or youth development goals.
Virtual/Remote Programming 
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many programs have moved to remote programming. A number of tools have become available to assess and improve the quality of virtual/remote programming.
  • This tool from QTurn and the Michigan Afterschool Partnership includes a self-assessment for virtual programming as well as for in-person socially distanced programming.
  • BellXcel is offering a free Remote Quality Reflection Tool to assess and improve the quality of remote programming. The tool was created by the Sperling Center for Research and Innovation (SCRI).
  • Denver Afterschool Alliance’s new tool is aligned with the Wiekart Center’s Youth Program Quality Assessment. The tool begins on page 34 and a link to an informational webinar on utilizing the tool is included.
  • The Network for Youth Success’ webinar on using the QSA Tool remotely may also help with structuring self-assessment work while in a remote environment.
  • Other resources for virtual learning are available through the Afterschool Alliance’s dedicated page.
Global Learning
Understanding varied cultural perspectives is increasingly essential to students’ academic and social growth as they prepare for citizenship and work in the global 21st century. The Global Learning in Afterschool Self-Assessment Tool, was developed by the Asia Society’s Partnership for Global Learning in collaboration with the Network for Youth Success. This tool can be used to asses and improve programs wishing to instill global competence into youth in grades K-12.
College and Career Readiness
The Indiana Afterschool Network developed a supplement to their afterschool standards that provides detailed indicators around initiating and maintain a successful program for youth K-12, with a focus on college and career readiness. This tool defines key elements of college and career readiness and helps programs assess how they have integrated them into their program.
Summer Learning
Summer programs can intervene in summer learning loss and provide a safe place for students to learn, grow, and play when school is not in session. The Indiana Afterschool Network offers their Summer Learning supplement to their afterschool standards for those seeking to develop or improve a quality summer program for youth in grades K-12.
STEM
An increasing number of programs are interested in integrating hands-on Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM) activities to open students’ minds to new and interesting concepts and ideas and inspire them to expand their workforce options. The Indiana Afterschool Network offers their specialty standards on creating and maintaining a high quality STEM-focused program for youth K-12.
Literacy
The Indiana Afterschool Network has created specialty standards for programs interested in increasing their quality and effectiveness in implementing literacy programming. This tool helps self-assess how your program integrates literacy for youth K-12.
Healthy Eating and Physical Activity
Afterschool programs are an ideal setting for teaching kids to eat healthy and to be physically active. The Indiana Afterschool Network offers their specialty standards on implementing Healthy Eating and Physical Activity (HEPA) in a high-quality way for youth K-12.
Chronic Absenteeism
Research suggests that out-of-school-time programs can be effective in promoting school engagement and reducing chronic absenteeism. Attendance Works has developed a tool for programs to assess whether their program is working effectively to encourage attendance.