Representative Collins reconvenes commission to refine after‑school standards and launch statewide survey

Representative Collins convened the commission on extended learning and after‑school time to review subgroup findings and set next steps for improving program quality, accessibility and reporting.

The chair said the commission was reconvened to finish work started under an earlier resolution and to focus on three priorities: quality standards, data and accountability, and workforce pipelines. She thanked subgroup leaders and staff who prepared a report and asked subgroup chairs to meet before the next full meeting to refine recommendations.

Faye Nelson, a lead on the quality standards subgroup, said the group recommended including a youth voice in planning and running focus groups with known after‑school providers to shape survey questions. “We needed to include a youth voice,” Nelson said, and noted that the nonprofit Voices had agreed to help draft survey questions and outreach materials.

Marcus Morgan, who led the data and accountability subgroup, told commissioners that collecting consistent statewide data is the commission’s biggest obstacle because multiple stakeholders report overlapping or duplicate information. He recommended beginning with a reduced, high‑level inventory that maps program locations, target populations and capacity (open or full) and building internal capacity later to collect more detailed measures.

Multiple members stressed that program mapping and simple availability indicators would help families find openings and allow the commission to show which programs are producing measurable results. “If we can get enough data to know is this program full or are there openings?” Representative Collins said, arguing that a clear inventory would be one of the commission’s most practical products.

The commission agreed to develop a statewide survey for program directors, parents and students to capture program activities, participation and perceived benefits. Commissioners discussed deployment strategies to maximize response: distributing the survey at the site level through program directors, using regional hubs, and asking program directors to encourage parent participation. Incentives and site‑level introductions were proposed as ways to boost response rates.

The group set a follow‑up full commission meeting for June 25 at 9:00 a.m., with subgroup meetings to occur beforehand. The chair said subgroup leaders will report back with draft survey questions and an updated participant list so the commission can confirm membership and next steps.