Statewide Afterschool Quality Standards

ACT Now is a statewide coalition that works to ensure that young people in Illinois have access to quality, affordable afterschool and youth development programs. ACT Now has undertaken an initiative to develop Quality Standards in order to improve afterschool programming around the state. Our Quality Standards capture practices that have been demonstrated, through research, to lead to quality programs and positive outcomes for children.

Illinois Statewide Afterschool Quality Standards™

Introduction to the Afterschool Quality Standards Framework Video

The Revised Illinois Afterschool Quality Standards ™

Afterschool and out-of-school time (OST) programs play a critical role in supporting young people, families, schools, and communities across Illinois. As the needs of youth and programs continue to evolve, so must the tools and frameworks that support quality programming. That is why ACT Now led the revision of the Illinois Statewide Afterschool Quality Standards™. A thoughtful, collaborative effort designed to strengthen continuous quality improvement efforts statewide.

The original 2016 Standards provided a strong foundation for defining quality in afterschool programming. Over time, however, feedback from the field, emerging research, and changing community needs highlighted opportunities to clarify, make the framework more practical, and make it more responsive to the realities of today’s OST programs.

The revised Illinois Statewide Afterschool Quality Standards™ were created to do just that.

Access the toolkit

Four Core Areas

The four Core Areas are Climate, Learning, Partnerships, and Systems, and each groups together Standards.

Resources & Links

Access resources for each of the four Core Areas below. Report broken links to ACT Now at hello@actnowillinois.org

Emergency Preparedness Plan Sample

This document provides a sample emergency procedures for participants in afterschool programs.

Fire Drill Requirements – IL

Access the Illinois General Assembly’s School Safety Drill Act.

Dietary Guidelines

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans have provided science-based advice on what to eat and drink to promote health, reduce risk of chronic disease, and meet nutrient needs.

Active Shooter Prep for Afterschool

This blog shares strategies to plan and prepare for an active shooter situation.

Asthma-Friendly Checklist

Children with asthma need proper support in child-care settings to keep their asthma under control and be
fully active. Use this checklist below to find out how well your child-care setting assists children with asthma.

Red Cross: How to Make a First Aid Kit

The Red Cross has developed a list of recommended supplies to keep in your first-aid kit.

Individual Supervision Template

This template should be customized to meet the needs of your staff and program and match the branding of your agency.

Young Adult Leadership Curriculum

Access curriculum for young adults focused on leadership, communication, advocacy, public policy, and more.

Artemis: To the Moon and Beyond

The “Artemis: To the Moon and Beyond” curriculum is intended for middle school-aged youth, but each activity could be modified for younger or older students. Access the curriculum via ANCAL.

Unlocking the Power of Numbers Curriculum

Unlocking the Power of Numbers is ACT Now’s afterschool math curriculum, designed to help students see the power and potential of math in their everyday lives and future careers. Learn more via ANCAL.

STEM Sports

Enhance students’ STEM skills with STEM Sports multi-sports kit and curriculum. Learn more in ANCAL.

Afterschool Math Plus

Afterschool Math Plus connects math to other program areas such as art and music.

Overcoming Obstacles Curriculum

Students will identify the specific skills they will learn and practice through Overcoming Obstacles. Students will recognize how they will apply these skills to their everyday lives.

Parent/Teacher Planning Tool

The purpose of this short tool is to reach a shared understanding of a student’s grade-level progress and co-create a learning plan with families. It is intended to serve as a guide to help strengthen parent-teacher conferences and is meant to be adapted based on what you already know about the student and family.

A Principal’s Checklist for Supporting Afterschool Programs

A checklist for principals or other school administrators to best support afterschool programs.

Advisory Board Development

Access planning tips for creating an environment in which Advisory Board members engage in true collaboration and offer their best thinking and participation.

Advisory Board – Step 1

Access the first step of the Advisory Board Development planning resources.

Advisory Board – Step 2

After Step 1, access the second step of the Advisory Board Development planning resources.

Community School Teams/Advisory Board Toolkit

Access resources for building a Community Schools team and/or program advisory board.

Sustainability Planning Guidebook

ACT Now’s Sustainability Planning Guidebook is an editable template that you can use to begin building your program’s sustainability plan with your team.

Family Engagement Learning Series: Family Engagement to Support Immigrant and Multilingual Families

These briefs summarize a six-part webinar series of conversations designed to Raise the Bar for family engagement practices between school and home.

ACT Now Family Engagement Resources

This Family Engagement Toolkit was developed by ACT Now to aid afterschool and summer program administrators and staff as they navigate the family engagement process, regardless of their starting point.

Youth Engagement Toolkit Evaluation Tool

This toolkit is devoted to the active engagement of youth and young adults in community decision making.

BOSTnet Engaging Families Toolkit

BOSTnet worked with after school programs to develop tools and strategies to help you improve how you involve families in your program and in the success of their children.

Sample Policy Document

Access a template for developing your policies and procedures.

Mission and Vision Statements

This worksheet aims to guide a collaborative conversation around developing mission and vision statements for your organization.

Job Description for OST Specialist

Here, see a sample job posting for an OST Specialist.

Best Practices for Out-of-School Time Programs

In this report, The Hanover Research Council examines best practices for out-of-school time (OST) programs. They provide an overview of key issues facing these programs, with a special emphasis on topics of professional development for OST staff and collaboration among school districts, nonprofits, and government.