Powerful learning experiences often happen outside of the school day. EDC builds, implements, and evaluates out-of-school and nonformal programs that deliver core civic, educational, and life skills to young people in diverse environments.

In the United States, EDC’s support for out-of-school time (OST) and nonformal learning leverages children’s and youth’s strengths to help them succeed at school, engage in their communities, and lead productive and healthy lives. We design, evaluate, and provide technical assistance on high-quality OST programs that prepare young people for success—whether pursuing social and academic enrichment after school or leaving school and starting a first job.

Internationally, EDC develops and implements programs that support educational and economic opportunities for out-of-school youth. Working within the unique context of each country, we partner with governments, industry, and nongovernmental organizations to provide young people with the skills, knowledge, and opportunities they need to be market-ready and contribute to society.

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Resources

Here are a few of our resources on out-of-school learning. To see more, visit our Resources section.

Fact sheets

EDC’s Work Ready Now (WRN) delivers effective work readiness preparation to youth around the world. Based on international standards, WRN helps young people in emerging economies develop the soft skills and work readiness skills needed to succeed in earning a living.

Toolkits

This program guide offers a resource for development specialists initiating or strengthening integrated literacy programs for youth aged 15 to 24 who are not involved informal education.

Reports

This report builds on the DeliverEd research in Ghana, Pakistan, Jordan, Sierra Leone, and Tanzania that sheds light on the effectiveness of delivery approaches for improving policy implementation. It proposes a framework for policymakers to consider when determining whether and how to launch, learn from, and scale and sustain delivery approaches.

Reports

This report summarizes the results of a review, conducted by external experts, of the quality and content of the Out-of-School Literacy Assessment (OLA).

Studies

Developed by EDC, this set of eight briefs outlines research related to the challenges and recommendations for K–12 STEM education.

Reports

The Committee on Successful Out-of-School STEM Learning, appointed by the National Research Council’s Board on Education, was charged with identifying effective out-of-school STEM settings and prog

Toolkits

This guide provides an overview of IRI as a methodology, and discusses its feasibility and applicability in a range of contexts.

Reports

EDC conducted a research study in the Democratic Republic of Congo to test the effects of teacher knowledge and practice on student learning.

Toolkits

Written for program directors, program managers, educators, and others responsible for developing and implementing STEM programs in schools and community-based organizations, this guide seeks to re

Reports

This program note presents summary findings of an evaluation study of the global Hewlett-Packard Learning Initiative for Entrepreneurs (HP LIFE) program, conducted in China, India, Kenya, Nigeria,