(posted 10/1/08)

The Wisconsin Association of School Boards (WASB) is one of only three state school board associations that were selected to lead the National School Boards Association’s (NSBA) Extended-Day Learning Opportunities Technical Assistance Communication Project. Full Story 

This project will focus on promoting quality after-school programs through school board leadership. WASB, along with the Oregon School Boards Association and the Rhode Island Association of School Committees, will be expected to lead their peers in supporting and encouraging the development of these important after-school programs that benefit students, families and their communities.

“We are trying to raise awareness among local school board members of what quality after-school programs are and how they can be used to improve student achievement, improve the health of Wisconsin’s youth and promote positive youth development,” WASB Director of Policy Services Nancy Dorman said. “It is our hope that through the NSBA project and our other activities we can not only identify current school board member “champions” for quality after-school programs but also encourage more school board members to become leaders in the after-school program movement.”

School board associations were selected if they adequately met project proposal guidelines, demonstrated a high-level of commitment to the project, and proved that they are willing to develop a regional network to promote the project amongst area states.

In addition to meeting the above criteria, WASB has been involved with the Wisconsin Afterschool Network (WAN), which is a partnership of local and state organizations that “help keep kids safe, inspire them to learn and help working families.” Its mission is “to support schools and community partners in delivering high quality afterschool programs to diverse school age youth, which increase academic achievement, enhance youth development and encourage family involvement.” WASB has been a key education partner of WAN since its inception and is an active member of its state leadership team.

After-school programs offer K-12 students the opportunity to supplement their school day with academic, recreational, and developmental activities. It has been demonstrated that engaging and comprehensive after-school programs can have a positive influence in a student’s learning.

“This is a wonderful recognition of WASB’s commitment to promoting the value of after-school programming for the boys and girls of Wisconsin to the state’s school board members,” WASB Executive Director John Ashley said.

WASB is a nonprofit association that provides information and services to Wisconsin school boards in the areas of school law and policymaking, bargaining, legislation and leadership development.