m in the area of reading. First the paper will briefly explore the educational benefits of after-school programs and what effect they have on academic achievement. It will include research studies by experts in the field, Fashola, Posner & Vandell, and the University of Irvine's School of Education. The next section is dedicated to the more specific benefit of reading. It will look at ways after-school programs can incorporate this skill by creating activities and a curriculum to use, which aligns with what is being taught in the classroom. It will include information by Wiggins and McTighe. It will then look at the effect this specific benefit has on academic achievement and will include more research by Fashola, Posner & Vandell. The next section will give specific ways after-school programs can design their centers and educate their staff so that they can provide the most effective learning environment according to several experts in this area. Finally, the paper will conclude by reviewing future directions the after school programs may need to take to continue to provide an atmosphere of learning.
             EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS OF AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS
             While past research has focused on how children spend their time after school and what level of supervision is provided, current research has begun to examine the various types of after-school activities and their effects on the cognitive and emotional development of children. Researchers have identified three functions of after-school programs: providing supervision, offering enriching experiences and positive social interaction, and improving academic achievement (Pederson, DeKanter, Bobo, Weinig, and Noeth, 1998).
             According to the National School Age Child Alliance (1998), quality centers help to increase academic performance, social competency, school readiness, school attendance, cooperation with adults, healthier peer relationships, conflict resolution skills, high...