Oklahoma Partnership for Expanded Learning

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Oklahoma Partnership for Expanded Learning

Building an alliance to connect partners, promote quality, and increase access to afterschool.

05/28/2026

Looking to strengthen your youth program this summer?

The Opp Project is offering FREE professional learning workshops for youth-serving professionals in Tulsa focused on positive youth development and practical strategies you can use right away.

Topics include:
• Planning & Reflection
• Structure & Clear Limits
• Cooperative Learning

Whether you’re onboarding new staff, planning summer programming, or looking for fresh ideas to better engage youth, these workshops are designed to help you build supportive, engaging learning environments.

Sessions will be held at the Sun Building in Downtown Tulsa.

Learn more and register: theopp.org/professionallearning

05/26/2026

What if “risk-taking” isn’t something to avoid—but something young people need to grow?

New insights from the The Wallace Foundation show that adolescence is a critical time for exploration, learning, and connection. The brain is wired to try new things—and those experiences help shape identity, skills, and future success.

Here’s why it matters:
-Exploration builds confidence and skills
-Relationships with caring adults guide growth
-Afterschool programs create space for discovery

The takeaway: these experiences aren’t extra—they’re essential.

Read more: https://wallacefoundation.org/resource/article/what-does-brain-science-tell-us-about-adolescence

05/21/2026

The people behind afterschool and youth programs are the heart of this work—and new national data is helping us better understand their experiences, challenges, and what they need to thrive.

The Power of Us Workforce Survey, offers a first-of-its-kind look into the youth fields workforce—and the findings are both encouraging and urgent.

Here’s what stands out:

Purpose drives this workforce
62% entered the field because of a strong sense of purpose. People are here because they care deeply about young people and their communities.

They’re eager to learn—but need support
84% have access to professional learning, but pathways into the field vary widely. There’s a clear need for more structured, on-the-job training and development.

They feel valued—but burnout is real
While 87% feel valued at work, nearly half (47%) report feeling burned out—highlighting the need for better support systems and healthier work environments.

Compensation remains a major challenge
88% of leaders earn less than school principals. Pay and benefits continue to be a barrier to retaining and recruiting strong talent.

This data reinforces what many in the field already know:
➡️ The passion is there
➡️ The commitment is there
➡️ But the systems and supports need to catch up

If we want strong, sustainable programs for young people, we have to invest in the people who make them possible.

Explore the full findings: https://wallacefoundation.org/report/power-us-youth-fields-workforce-findings-national-power-us-workforce-survey-findings

05/19/2026

The data is in! NEW data sheds light on summer program participation, unmet demand, and parent perspectives!

Join the official release webinar today at 1PM ET to dig into the findings, hear policy recommendations, and ask your questions to a panel of experts.

Register now to save your spot: https://afterschoolalliance.org/webinars.cfm

05/14/2026

NEW RESOURCE!

Looking for a fresh way to bring real-world problem solving into your afterschool or summer program?

The new Challenge Based Learning Activity Bundle from STEM Next helps educators guide youth through hands-on challenges tied to real community and global issues—making learning more engaging, meaningful, and career-connected.

Designed for grades 5–8, this quick-start bundle includes three ready-to-use lessons that help students think critically, collaborate, and apply STEM skills in practical ways.

Explore the resource and discover new ways to bring learning to life in your program.

05/12/2026

New data is coming—and it’s one every afterschool leader, advocate, and community partner should be paying attention to.

Join the Afterschool Alliance for an upcoming webinar:

America After 3PM: The Summer Struggle for Everyday Families
📅 Tuesday, May 19, 2026
⏰ 1:00 PM ET

This session will unveil brand-new national and state data on:
-Summer program participation
-Unmet demand
-Parent perspectives

All drawn from the widely respected America After 3PM—a landmark study conducted every five years that helps shape the future of afterschool and summer learning.

You’ll hear key insights and policy implications from:
• Jodi Grant, Executive Director, Afterschool Alliance
• Gigi Antoni, The Wallace Foundation
• Lindsey R. Blevins, Tuscaloosa City Schools
• Carlos M. Gonzalez Jr., Roma ISD

This is more than data—it’s a clearer picture of what families are facing and what communities need to respond.

Don’t miss it - Register Now: https://afterschoolalliance.org/webinars.cfm

05/07/2026

Oklahoma families know the value of afterschool programs—and they’re asking for more.

Afterschool programs do more than fill the hours after school ends. They keep kids safe, create space to learn and grow, and help build the life skills that shape future success. For parents, they provide peace of mind—making it possible to stay focused at work, maintain stability, and reduce daily stress.

But the reality is this: too many families still don’t have access.

In Oklahoma, more than 290,000 children whose parents want afterschool programs are unable to participate.

That’s not just a gap—it’s an opportunity.

An opportunity to expand access.
To support working families.
And to ensure every child has a safe place to go, learn, and thrive after the school day ends.

05/05/2026

Looking to bring fresh, hands-on STEM experiences to your program?

Join this free webinar to Discover the Latest from Youth Engineering Solutions (YES!)—an initiative from the Museum of Science Boston.

📅 May 6
⏰ 7:00–8:00 PM ET
💻 Online | No cost

This session will highlight newly released YES curriculum units designed for K–8 classrooms, afterschool programs, and family STEM events.

You’ll learn how these student-tested resources:

-Engage learners in real-world engineering challenges
-Build problem-solving, creativity, and collaboration
-Help students think like engineers and become confident innovators

Grounded in a proven engineering framework, these tools are ready to strengthen your STEM programming.

Ideal for educators, program leaders, and STEM facilitators looking to expand high-quality, design-based learning opportunities.

Reserve your spot: https://stemnext.org/event/discover-the-latest-from-yes/

05/01/2026

The 2026–2027 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant application is now open! Letters of Intent and credential requests are due by May 4, 2026 at 3 p.m.
OSDE is accepting Letters of Intent for this federally funded program, which supports before-school, afterschool, and summer learning opportunities for students in high-need communities. These grants help provide academic enrichment, expanded services, and meaningful family engagement. School districts and community partners are encouraged to apply and collaborate to support student success beyond the school day.

Visit the OSDE website to learn more: https://tinyurl.com/33asc4px

04/29/2026

The Afterschool Alliance's Lights On Afterschool poster contest is open! Encourage students to use bright, bold markers or paint to bring life to their images and show what afterschool means to them! Winning artwork will be printed on 50,000+ posters displayed at 8,000+ Lights On Afterschool events worldwide—a HUGE opportunity for national recognition. Students can also compete for the chance to win a $500 grand prize, as well as be featured on the Afterschool Alliance website and more!

Send entries to [email protected] or the Afterschool Alliance Office in Washington, D.C. The deadline for this contest is June 18, 2026.

Visit the Afterschool Alliance website to learn more: https://afterschoolalliance.org/loa.cfm

Address

309 NW 13th Street
Oklahoma City, OK
73103

Telephone

+19189497755

Website

http://www.opelok.org/

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