[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 48 (Thursday, March 25, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E573-E574]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       INTRODUCTION OF THE AFTER-SCHOOL CHILDREN'S EDUCATION ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL N. CASTLE

                              of delaware

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 25, 1999

  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to introduce the After-School 
Children's Education Act (ACE Act). My proposal, which does not spend a 
lot of money, will lead Congress to better information on after-school 
programs and guide us through a vitally important decision-making 
process on how to meet the educational needs of students across the 
nation.

[[Page E574]]

  There has been a lot of discussion about out-of-school time in recent 
months, with scientific studies proving what we have always intuitively 
known about the importance of quality care for young children, and for 
children in out-of-school time. There is a real threat to many American 
kids across the nation. Roughly five million children are not 
supervised after-school. This leaves them at risk of accidents and ripe 
for undesirable behaviors ranging from smoking and drinking to sexual 
activity and violent crime. In fact, juvenile crime goes up 300% after 
3 p.m. and over half of all juvenile crime occurs between 3 p.m. and 6 
p.m.
  This is particularly disturbing given the benefits that can be 
derived from productive and educationally rewarding activities in 
after-school hours. After-school programs can be exceptionally 
beneficial by giving children the chance to interact with their peers 
and adults in a positive way, to gain or improve new skills, to master 
educational material, to develop strong bodies, and to foster 
creativity. In addition, studies have shown that students who attend 
productive after-school programs make significant academic gains, enjoy 
school more, feel more safe, and are less likely to participate in 
delinquent behaviors year found.
  I believe we need to focus on improving the quality of children's 
out-of-school time through after-school programs. Studies indicate that 
90% of parents want their children in an after-school program, yet less 
than 30% of schools have one. Amazingly, schools are locked 50% of the 
time parents are working. Many policy makers are coming to this 
realization and some have proposed billions of dollars of new spending 
on after-school programs. I am not convinced that such a large infusion 
of money is necessary, but I am convinced that up-to-date information 
on after-school programs is essential. There really is not good 
information available. The last major study of after-school programs 
was completed in 1993 by the National Institute of Out-Of-School-Time.
  The ACE Act will help meet this need with a three prong approach. 
First, it requires the General Accounting Office to conduct a state-by-
state study on after-school programs that will help us understand what 
programs currently exist and where the gaps are in providing 
educationally enriching and personally rewarding programs for children. 
Second, the ACE Act establishes a national clearinghouse of model 
after-school programs available on the Internet. Finally, it provides 
$10 million for states to use for activities that improve the quality 
and availability of after-school programs.
  As I have witnessed in Delaware, some communities have collaborated 
to produce high quality after-school programs. For instance, the 
extended use of school facilities in Delaware has allowed several 
organizations, such as the Boys and Girls Clubs and the YMCA to 
successfully integrate after-school programs into schools. The ACE Act 
encourages continued collaborations so that communities can play a more 
active role in providing assistance in after-school activities in a 
number of ways.
  In all of my discussions with constituents and after-school program 
specialist, the most troubling issue I have run across is the fact that 
both after-school program providers and after-school program 
participants need better access to information. We do not fully 
understand what programs are available and we should.
  I hope you will join me and colleagues from both sides of the aisle 
to support and co-sponsor the After-School Children's Education Act.

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