LitART and the City of Downey have partnered for over six years.  The goals have not changed - build reading and writing skills, increase homework quality, support social and emotional development- but the strategies have evolved considerably based on what we have discovered during the last several years. Through observations and assessment data, we have gained valuable insights into what makes an after school staff person effective and how to support all staff to maximize their effectiveness.

1.  Provide explicit written expectations that serve as assessment criteria and describe how they relate to the program goals.

2.  Conduct regular observations of staff in action using the criteria and share the feedback with staff.

3.  Offer multiple forms of staff support including observation feedback, demonstrations, meetings, and coaching.

4.  Recognize that meaningful behavioral change take place over time.   Establish short term (next observation) and long term (one year) goals for staff performance. 

5. Make sure the program schedule and activities are directly aligned with the program goals.   

6. Encourage staff to use professional judgment about what to do and how to do it. 

7. Measure student progress and use it to promote staff engagement in how best to support students.

When these strategies are used as a mutually supporting professional development model, after school staff develop quickly and consistently.  To learn more about the process just drop us an email.