Provides a discussion on the Los Angeles Unified School District’s (LAUSD) after-school enrichment program, LA’s BEST, which was evaluated by the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Center for the Study of Evaluation to determine the impact on participants’ academic achievement and performance. LA’s BEST is an enrollment-only program (no drop-ins) designed to provide an after-school environment that is safe, supports educational success, promotes enrichment activities to supplement the school curriculum, encourages recreational activities, and improves interpersonal skills and self-esteem. The participants receive homework assistance and take part in library activities and field trips with an emphasis on the performing arts. The evaluation study focuses on students in the second through fifth grades during the years 1993-1998 and utilizes gender, ethnicity, language proficiency, free lunch eligibility, disability status, and standardized test scores to determine the effectiveness of the program. Results indicate that long-term involvement (at least 4 years) in LA’s BEST yielded: (1) a significant increase in mathematics, reading, and language arts achievement; (2) better school attendance for those enrolled in the program; and (3) improved scores on standardized tests in math, reading, and language arts. When compared to students not enrolled in the program, LA’s BEST students are more likely to achieve English language proficiency, eliminate gaps in mathematics achievement, and show lower absence rates. An appendix discusses the previous five evaluations of the LA’s BEST program and replicates the findings that children felt safer, were engaged in school, showed academic improvement, and established positive educational goals.
