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3. Align Instruction

Align out-of-school academic activities with instruction provided during the regular school day.

Schools and out-of-school programs, including before- and after-school programs, weekend, and summer programs, share the goal of helping students succeed, making a partnership between them mutually beneficial. In order to successfully improve student performance, it is recommended that out-of-school programs align their academic program with the school day. There are different ways to maintain alignment including maintaining regular communication with school and/or district staff, hiring school staff for coaching and instruction, participating in school meetings and professional development opportunities, and aligning out-of-school academic curricula with state and local content standards.