Engaging Older Youth: Program and City-level Strategies to Support Sustained Participation in Out-of-school Time

This study by the Harvard Family Research Project and Public/Private Ventures explored strategies of out-of-school programs for middle and high school students which were associated with retention of youth (i.e., duration of participation). Results were based on data from 198 program surveys, 28 program interviews, and 47 city-level respondents. The study authors identified five program characteristics (two program practices and three structural features) associated with high retention.