2 960万美国儿童需要课后照料,但由于成本和可用性,只有700万儿童能够获得这种照料。 29.6 million U.S. kids want afterschool care, but only 7 million can access it due to cost and availability.

一项新研究发现,有2 960万美国学龄儿童希望参加课后方案,但只有700万人入学,2 260万人因费用、可用性和无障碍障碍而被排除在外。 A new study finds 29.6 million U.S. school-age children want access to afterschool programs, but only 7 million are enrolled, with 22.6 million left out due to cost, availability, and accessibility barriers. 尽管目前参与者中95%的家长满意,但中低收入家庭受到的影响特别大,因为校外活动支出已扩大到高低收入家庭之间的九比一差距。 Despite 95% parent satisfaction among current participants, low- and middle-income families are disproportionately affected, as spending on out-of-school activities has widened to a nine-to-one gap between high- and low-income households. 为促进学术成功、心理健康、安全和父母就业,方案受到重视。 Programs are valued for boosting academic success, mental health, safety, and parental employment. 专家们敦促扩大联邦、州、地方和私人投资,以弥合准入差距。 Experts urge expanded federal, state, local, and private investment to close the access gap.