A new report released by the D.C.-based National League of Cities argues that engaged leadership on the part of mayors and city council members can yield big results through improvements in the quality of after-school programs.

The report, The After-School Hours: A New Focus for America's Cities, spotlights eight successful community initiatives focused on engaging students in the hours after school and offers practical advice and lessons for local officials. Recognizing that the hours children spend after-school offer an ideal time to reinforce and supplement learning while providing enrichment opportunities, each of the eight communities — Charlotte, North Carolina; Fort Worth, Texas; Fresno, California; Grand Rapids, Michigan; Indianapolis, Indiana; Lincoln, Nebraska; Spokane, Washington; and Washington, D.C. — assembled a diverse group of stakeholders, including municipal officials, school board members, school administrators, parents, community-based organizations, and business and civic leaders, to design or improve implementation of after-school programs. Sponsored by the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation in Flint, Michigan, the thirty-month project sought to assist local communities in improving and expanding after-school programs while illustrating the leadership roles that mayors and city council members can play.

"Many municipal leaders seek opportunities to share their experiences, compare their city's strategy against promising practices, or learn from other local elected officials," said Cliff Johnson, director of the League's Institute for Youth, Education, and Families. "This publication shows how important it is for city officials to get involved and would be useful to anyone interested in improving after-school programs."

To download the complete report (80 pages, PDF), visit: http://www.nlc.org/content/Files/IYEF-Lessons%20Learned%20AfterschooI.pdf.