Illinois Statutes Chapter 325. Children § 27/25. Effectiveness of afterschool programs

(a) Program standards. Research has shown that high-performing youth programs demonstrate shared features of program quality. The Council shall establish a universal framework of youth development program standards that commonly define measurable indicators of program quality across the diverse array of eligible demonstration program activities.

(b) Evaluation and monitoring. Afterschool programs shall be held accountable to universal program quality standards as adopted by the Council. Data informing performance against these standards shall be monitored and collected by the Department of Human Services. Each afterschool program, in coordination with the corresponding community advisory group, shall also assess needs and gaps relative to addressing outcome goals.

(c) Capacity-building supports. A statewide program quality improvement system shall be established by the Council utilizing a qualified third party to provide assessment, coaching, technical assistance, and system and professional development. Provided supports shall first target those afterschool programs created under the Demonstration with the ultimate goal of expansion to support the larger statewide system of youth development program providers.

(d) Demonstration outcome evaluation. An evaluation of the Demonstration shall be conducted by a third-party evaluator or evaluators selected through a competitive request for proposals (RFP) process. The purpose of the evaluation is to determine how well the Demonstration Program meets the cost, impact, and quality outcome goals established by the Council. Initial findings shall be reported to the Council, the Governor, and the General Assembly within 3 years from the award of the first dollars and shall be the primary determining evidence to trigger expansion as described in subsection (e) of Section 20 of this Act.