Survey of After-School Youth Outcomes
SAYO Evaluation System
The Survey of After-School Youth Outcomes (SAYO) Evaluation System enables after-school programs to capture changes in youth that are associated with participation in a high-quality after-school program-and likely to occur over a one-year period.
Dr. Beth M. Miller and Wendy B. Surr of the National Institute on Out-of-School Time worked with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education After-School and Out-of-School Time Program over a three-year period to develop the SAYO Evaluation System. Results from two rounds of field-testing with over 5,000 students indicate that the SAYO is a valid and reliable instrument for measuring change in youth. The system exceeded scientifically accepted levels for both boys and girls at early elementary, later elementary, and middle school ages. In addition, programs results indicated statistically significant, positive changes in most outcome areas.
What is the SAYO System-and how does it work?
The SAYO Evaluation System uses brief pre-participation and post-participation surveys to collect data from regular education teachers and after-school staff. The SAYO System is based on a "menu" approach, in which programs collect data on those outcomes that are aligned with their goals and program practices.
Teacher Version: (SAYO-T)
- Behavior in the Classroom
- Initiative
- Engagement in Learning
- Problem Solving Skills
- Communication Skills
- Homework
- Relations with Adults
- Academic Performance across content areas
|
After-School Staff Version: (SAYO-S)
- Behavior in the Program
- Initiative
- Engagement in Learning
- Problem Solving Skills
- Communication Skills
- Learning Skills
- Relations with Adults
- Relations with Peers
- Homework
|
Each outcome area is measured by asking teachers and staff to respond to four or five questions related to observable youth behaviors. These items have been extensively tested and found to work as a single scale that effectively captures the outcome being measured. Teacher and/or staff responses to these surveys can be completed for all participating youth or for a sample of youth in a program.
The SAYO Evaluation System was primarily designed as a program assessment tool and looks at changes in students linked to their program participation. The SAYO is not designed as an individual youth assessment tool.
last updated: March 4, 2009
|
State Government · State Services 
