Research Findings for the WINGS Program

Less tardiness, fewer absences
& greater improvement in grades

WINGS Results

Research findings for our program and on a national basis demonstrate that effective after school programs help kids succeed, especially when social and emotional learning is intentionally integrated into the curriculum.

External evaluation of our program in 2005/06 by researchers from Yale University’s Health, Emotion and Behavior Laboratory found less tardiness, fewer absences and greater improvement in social/personal grades.

  • WINGS students were absent 4.23 days vs 8.02 days for non-WINGS kids.
  • WINGS students were tardy 5.12 days vs 12.56 days for non-WINGS students.
  • More WINGS students showed improvement – 25 percent vs 13 percent – in social and personal development grades measuring courtesy, self control, ability to work well with others, obedience, listening to instructions, accepting suggestions.

(Brackett, M., and Rivers, S. (2006) Yale University. Effectiveness of Teaching Social and Emotional Learning in an Afterschool Program: An Evaluation of WINGS)

What the (national) research shows

The evidence continues to mount that developing social and emotional intelligence transforms the lives of children.

An analysis of 73 afterschool programs that build social and emotional skills measured “significant improvement in grades, test scores, attachment to school and positive social behaviors. They also reduced problem behaviors – aggression, non-compliance and misconduct – as well as drug use.

(Durlak, J.A., & Weissberg, R.P. (2007). The impact of afterschool programs that promote personal and social skills. Chicago. www.casel.org)

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Evidence suggests a correlation between frequent attendance in … (after school) activities and positive outcomes including an increase in academic achievement, school attendance, time spent on homework, enjoyment and effort in school, and better student behavior.

(American Youth Policy Forum. (2006) Washington, DC: Helping youth succeed through out-of-school-time programs. www.aypf.org)

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A report on successful strategies in after school programs identified six key indicators of program quality – all of which are consistent with WINGS practices. They are positive staff engagement with youth; positive youth engagement with each other; high-quality, challenging activities; quality homework time; developing relationships with family members at pickup time; and use of appropriate space.

(Wellesley College. (2005). Pathways to success for youth: What counts in After-school. Wellesley, Mass. Massachusets After-School research study, INCRE & NIOST.)