This review summarizes virtually all available evidence on the effectiveness of specific afterschool programs. It is based on a comprehensive literature search and review of studies published from 2000 through 2017. 

The report uses the Every Student Succeeds Act evidence framework to identify studies that are strong tests of afterschool program effectiveness. ESSA describes an evidence framework of four levels, or tiers: Strong (Tier I), Moderate (Tier II), Promising (Tier III), and a fourth category that has been titled Demonstrates a Rationale (Tier IV) in September 2016 guidance from the U.S. Department of Education.

The literature review contains three key elements: 

• A systematic and comprehensive literature search, guided by clear criteria for eligible programs, outcomes, and research designs
• Ratings of eligible studies for evidence of cause-and-effect relationships against a set of standards
• A summary of the findings about cause-and-effect as well as key components of the program, study participants, and context.