National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine
appoint professor to study group

Sandra Simpkins is a member of the committee conducting a study on learning and development of low income youth in out-of-school time settings across the K-12 age span.

By Carol Jean Tomoguchi-Perez
July 28, 2023

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine appointed UCI School of Education professor Sandra Simpkins to the study group “Promoting Learning and Development In K-12 Out Of School Time Settings For Low Income and Marginalized Children and Youth.” Simpkins is part of a committee of experts tasked with conducting a consensus study focusing on students from low-income households across urban, suburban, and rural settings.
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“It is truly an honor to serve on this committee,” Simpkins said. “Our charge is to critically review the evidence on what works to support positive youth development through after-school programs and provide future directions. I am excited for this opportunity to support the after-school community on a national level.”

Professor Sandra Simpkins

Analyses of committee findings will address issues of intersectionality of economic stress with other factors that have operated historically to marginalize young people, including gender, sexual orientation, race, age, disability, and involvement with justice or child welfare systems. The committee will establish and describe quality standards of inclusion to ensure that only the most robust qualitative and quantitative studies are included in the review. Additional information on the study can be found here.