PROGRAM OVERVIEW

ATA is modeled after ideas from the movie “Coach Carter.”  Each student has the opportunity to play in the structured after-school sports program so long as he or she behaves and participates in the classroom and completes all assigned classwork / homework.  Each week, the student presents his or her teacher with a progress report scoring them on a scale from 1 to 4 (1 = Poor, 2 = Fair, 3 = Good, 4 = Excellent).  Students that score well are able to participate in the sports program after school; those that do not meet the program’s criteria will work to improve their scores in a supervised study hall so that they can be involved the following week.

History

ATA's Founders (from left): Drew Fabrikant, Justine Karp, Jacquelyn Talapar, and David Gelbard

ATA's Founders (from left): Drew Fabrikant, Justine Karp, Jacquelyn Talapar, and David Gelbard

ATA was born out of the success of a pilot sports program that David Gelbard implemented in 2010, while working as an Americorps member at P.S.50.  The program followed the evaluation report process, and the results were phenomenal.  After implementing the after-school sports program, the number of students that qualified for Children’s Aid Society’s after-school program quadrupled; at its peak, over 85 boys enrolled in the new sports program; subsequently, many girls followed their classmates in joining as well.  The benefits extended beyond the activities themselves.  The number of fights that occurred in school decreased dramatically.  Students demonstrated a greater level of respect for teachers and Children’s Aid Society workers, and the school flourished with the transformation: there were fewer classroom disruptions and more completed homework assignments.

The mission of ATA is to extend the success introduced by this pilot program and motivate students through sports, with the goal that they will approach the school day in a more focused and engaged manner, and ultimately, become more successful students.

The Format

ATA promotes education through sports.  Once the school year begins, students participate in a study hall after school.  They can talk quietly amongst themselves, but must complete their homework or study for upcoming tests.  Study hall is supervised by teachers and Children’s Aid Society counselors.  Snacks are funded by Children’s Aid Society and ATA.

After study hall is over, the students then participate in the sports program. Students are divided into two groups. The first group is made up of students that are “on track” and have completed their progress report successfully for the week.  The second group consists of the “off- track” students, who spend time completing their homework in a supervised classroom or the gym.  If a student moves back “on track,” he or she has the ability to participate in the sports program the following week.  Discretion is used on a case by case basis – based on behavior, completed class work / homework and attendance.

Benefits of the Evaluation Report

How does it work?  Below is a sample form that tracks each student.

Sample Evaluation Report

  1. First, the report continuously motivates the students with direct feedback to focus in the classroom in order to participate in ATA.  This increased focus directly translates into improved grades and an acknowledged increase in respect throughout the school.
  2. Second, the moment a student falls off course, Children’s Aid Society, ATA, and the school administration work together to get this student back on track so that he or she can participate in ATA the following week.
  3. Finally, the report keeps parents in the loop on how their children are performing both inside and outside of the classroom; ATA gives parents the opportunity to sit with their children and discuss school, sports, and everything in between.

On the Court

How do we run the sports activities?  Here is a sample basketball program from our fall sports league:

The first 10 minutes are dedicated to stretching, drills, and warm-up activities.  Then, students are divided into teams and organized into games against each other.  The students not playing sit on the perimeter of the gym, wait their turn to play, and complete their homework or study for upcoming tests.  Games are “completed” when one team makes 5 baskets.  The formation of each team is decided upon before Monday morning and posted on the wall in the lobby.  Children’s Aid Society counselors and ATA volunteers have the option to play alongside the students with the clear purpose of ensuring the games are organized.  One counselor serves as the referee.