Abstract
Purpose. The purpose of this study was to identify the factors that led to the sustainability (survival) of after-school programs in forty rural communities in the United States after the conclusion of the federal 21st Century Community Learning Center grants. Methodology. Descriptive research methodology was used to identify the factors that influenced the 21st Century Community Learning Centers to sustain operation past the original grant allocation. The descriptive method was selected in order to describe systematically the facts and characteristics of the sustained rural programs. The subjects in the study were forty directors of sustained rural 21st Century Community Learning Center after-school programs in the United States. The subjects were interviewed by telephone using a semi-structured interview guide. Findings. Examination of quantitative and qualitative data from forty directors of rural 21st Century Community Learning Center programs nationwide identified twenty-two entities, organizations, or persons as contributors to program sustainability. School site and school district contribution was considered the most essential. In-kind support was the most indicated type, followed equally by Financial and Leadership, then Advisory and finally Grant Writing support. Leadership strategies were applied by Directors, Site-Coordinators, Site Principals, School Board Members, Superintendents, Consultants, County Executives, and Parents. Seven leadership strategies were identified as relevant to program sustainability. The most significant strategy was Visioning, followed by Goals and Objectives, Networking, Collaboration, Marketing, Fundraising, and lastly Grant Writing. Conclusions. The study data support the conclusion that a variety of resources are necessary for rural after-school program survival. The most relevant type of support was in-kind. Grant Directors and Site-Coordinators were the principle persons that applied leadership strategies. Visioning was the most significant strategy used. Recommendations. Further research is advised: a replication of this study to a larger population; case study to reveal the relationship between sustained programs and the schools sites; comparative study of urban and rural after-school programs; relationship study of the correlation between grant duration and sustainability; descriptive study of the attributes of visionary leaders of successful after-school programs; descriptive study of after-school programs in states with high rates of sustainability.