Evaluating and Improving the WINGS for Kids After-School Social and Emotional Learning Program

WINGS for Kids© is a structured afterschool social and emotional learning (SEL), multi-year program for children entering kindergarten who can participate through 5th grade. The WINGS program was implemented at four low-performing schools in Charleston County, South Carolina, where groups of 12 boys or girls worked with a WINGS leader who served as a mentor and teacher.

The evaluation included an implementation and impact study. The impact study was a randomized control trial where children entering kindergarten were assigned to the program (in a group of boys or girls) or a control group. The evaluation incorporated data from parents, teachers, WINGS staff, individual child testing and observational data. The study examined if WINGS had a positive impact after the first and second year of participation on children’s person-centered competencies, relationships and behaviors in the classroom and at home, short-term academic skills, and whether impacts vary depending on children’s characteristics or level of initial skills.

• The results of one year of participation show no significant effects, which is consistent with WINGS’ theory that two years of participation is needed.
• In building block measures, children who attended WINGS for two years showed significant gains in naming vocabulary (effect size = .26, p<0.05) and executive function (Head-Toes-Knees-Shoulders, effect size = .26, p<0.10).
• They also showed promising gains in positive classroom behavior and reducing negative classroom behaviors, although these do not reach the p<0.05 significance level.