With cost of living increasing by the day, low-income families in America are struggling to get by. It has made it close to impossible for them to afford afterschool classes and other enrichment programs for their kids. According to the Afterschool Alliance, close to 25 million children are unable to access educational programs. In fact, participation in afterschool programs has dropped by as much as 60% since 2004. This is why BeAKid aims to make a difference and improve accessibility.
Shrinking Opportunities
Although more than 8 in 10 parents agree that enrichment programs like summer camps and afterschool classes are important as they help reduce unproductive screen time and increase engagement, many of them simply cannot afford to send their kids. There are shrinking opportunities across the country after the coronavirus pandemic. The fourth edition of America After 3PM has managed to provide a comprehensive view of how kids spend their afterschool hours in the country and aims to shed light on important issues. Unmet demand for afterschool programs has become a serious issue in recent times.
Availability of Programs
Families of color and low-income families are having it the hardest due to a lack of enrichment programs for theirs. It has been found that there are three kids waiting in line for every child that is enrolled in afterschool classes or summer programs. Nearly 25 million children cannot access a single program. The situation has deteriorated considerably over the years. Most families are having a difficult time dealing with transportation and costs. There is a lack of programs that make it difficult for kids to get a quality education in the country.
Only 8 million young people are actually enrolled in enrichment programs or summer camps today in comparison to 10 million in 2014. Access and cost are proving to be a huge barrier to participation. On top of this, the inequities in participation are quite alarming. Low-income households have been hit the hardest as only 2.7 million kids belonging to such households participated in afterschool activities in 2020 as compared to 4.6 million in 2014. On the other hand, if we consider the participation of higher-income children, the number of children attending afterschool activities also fell by around 450,000 during the same period.
Lack Of Investment
Federal 21st Century Community Learning Centers are just an example of publicly funded afterschool programs and summer programs that have supported young minds from low-income households across the country. But there is also a lack of investment in such institutions, making it harder for low-income young people to access educational opportunities. Although families were having a difficult time paying for these programs, they can no longer even think about enrolling kids.
The fact is that children from low-income households are at a disadvantage as they have limited learning opportunities outside of the classroom, unlike their higher-income peers. Afterschool opportunities are essential for closing the gap between the rich and the poor. The opportunity gap has a direct impact on the achievement gap. Only when the opportunity gap is closed through enrichment programs and summer camps would it be possible to close the achievement gap as well.
Quality afterschool programs are necessary as they expand opportunities and support young people academically. They also enable struggling families to move up the economic ladder by helping children with their schoolwork and providing them with opportunities to explore a wide range of subjects such as science and technology as well as the arts. On top of this, students who attend such programs develop life skills. Research shows that children who participate in enrichment programs tend to improve their grades and work habits as well as become lifelong learners.
With higher-income families spending fives time as much as low-income families on out-of-school activities, there is a need for change. This has led to the emergence of BeAKid, a new platform that is improving accessibility to enrichment programs. Parents are aware of the many advantages of such programs, with 75% agreeing that such programs are essential for reducing the likelihood of drug abuse as well as other risky behaviors among the youth.
Moreover, even parents get to avail a host of benefits when their kids attend afterschool classes. In fact, 78% of parents who have a child enrolled in an afterschool program report that the program helped them retain their job, whereas, 71% of parents claim that the programs enable kids to build useful skills. Hence, it is clear why 94% of parents are satisfied with such programs.
Essential After the Pandemic
Afterschool programs are needed to help kids succeed in school and get a quality education. Ever since the coronavirus pandemic broke out, many students have been unable to receive the support they needed to thrive. Support is essential in order for them to get back on track and succeed in life. There has only been a modest increase in federal funding for afterschool activities since 2014 which is just not enough to catch up with the rise in living costs. However, California is the perfect example of a state that has managed to increase participation levels by investing heavily.
Afterschool programs have been around for a long time and have helped elevate the status of families in America. However, the pandemic has resulted in many children not getting access to enrichment programs. It has only exacerbated the disparities.
Support a Brighter Future for Your Kids
BeAKid is a new platform that aims to provide access to afterschool programs. It is important that you support smart investments for kids. The platform allows you to find programs within your area and beyond. Now, you no longer have to drive to different educational centers to find a program for your child. Instead, you can use the website to enroll your child just like how you would use Airbnb to book accommodation. BeAKid is transforming the industry and you show your support to ensure it succeeds.
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