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  • CONTACT US
  • ABOUT US
    • Board of Directors
    • Staff Members
    • Annual Reports
  • FOR PROGRAMS
    • Continuous Quality Improvement
      • Quality Standards
      • Download PDFs
    • Program Accreditation
      • Meet the Pathway to Accreditation Guides
    • The Make It Count Pledge
      • Sign The Pledge
      • Pledge Directory
    • Quality Assessment Tool
      • Quality Assessment Tool Online Help
      • Continuous Quality Improvement Resource Library
    • User Information for Listing in the Program Directory
      • Register A Program
    • Lights On Afterschool
  • FOR PROFESSIONALS
    • Credentialing
    • Professional Development
      • School’s Out Make It Count Conference
      • Spring Training, Workshops and PD
      • Trainer Network
    • Awards of Excellence
    • Job Board
    • Continuous Quality Improvement
    • School’s Out Make It Count Conference
  • FOR FAMILIES
    • Quality Afterschool Program Checklist
  • RESOURCES
    • Activities & Curricula
      • Arts
      • Civics & Social Studies
      • Health & Wellness
      • Literacy
      • Mizzen by Mott
      • Older Youth
      • SEL
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      • @fterschool Advisor
      • Arizona After 3pm
      • STEM Saturdays
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Quality Standards

Arizona Quality Standards for Out-of-School Time Programs
  • The Case for Quality
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The OST Standards

Developed with input from statewide stakeholders representing out-of-school time providers, educators and policymakers, the Arizona Quality Standards for Out-of-School Time Programs is a compilation of out-of-school time standards aimed at providing an answer to the pressing question: What is Quality in Out-of-School Time? This question is addressed in the context of best practices and organized into the following key areas:

I. Safe and Healthy Environments

II. Positive Relationships

III. Intentional Programming and Activities

IV. Equity and Inclusion

V. Family, School and Community Engagement

VI. Program Management

VII. Program Evaluation and Data

Arizona Quality Standards for Out-of-School Time Programs is the first step of a three-step continuous quality improvement process. Steps two and three will build on these standards by focusing on the adoption of an assessment tool for programs to use to further identify and refine their strengths and areas of improvement; as well as the development of a comprehensive professional development system for out-of-school time program providers and staff.

OST programs are in a unique position to rapidly respond to the demands of youth and quickly adapt to implement innovative and best practices that best support their learning styles and areas of interest.  Adopting a continuous quality improvement process is a way for programs to Assess – Design – Do; assess the quality of programs, design strategies and activities that increase quality as well as respond to youth needs and interests and do – i.e. implement these strategies and activities, understanding they may not at first be perfect, but the process of Assess – Design – Do can begin again.

Download a PDF of the OST Standards

Support Out of School Time in Arizona

  • 301 E. Bethany Home Road,
    Suite A222
    Phoenix, AZ 85012
  • 602.734.5434
  • info@azafterschool.org
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Contact Us

About Us

  • Board of Directors
  • Staff Members
  • Annual Reports

For Programs

  • Credentialing
  • Continuous Quality Improvement
  • Program Accreditation
  • The Make It Count Pledge
  • Quality Assessment Tool
  • Lights On Afterschool

For Professionals

  • Professional Development
  • Awards of Excellence
  • Job Board
  • Continuous Quality Improvement
  • School's Out, Make It Count Conference

For Families

  • Quality Afterschool Program Checklist

Resources

  • Activities & Curricula
  • Funding Opportunities
  • Job Board
  • News & Research
  • Professional Development
  • Request A Resource
  • Submit a Resource
  • Trending Topics

Get Involved

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  • Volunteer
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  • Sponsorship
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