New Mexico 4-H Programs and Indicators
New Mexico Out-of-School Time Network
New Mexico 4H
Positive Development 4-H is rich with learning experiences where young people partner with caring adults and volunteers in a fellowship unlike any other program available to youth today. Through 4-H, young people are encouraged to participate in a variety of activities that emphasize 4-H’s “learning by doing” philosophy of youth development.
Studies show that 4-H members:
- do better in school
- are more motivated to help others
- feel safe to try new things
- achieve a sense of self-esteem
- develop lasting friendships.
52,000 Strong 4-H is in every community across New Mexico – urban, suburban and rural. Standing for head, heart, hands and health, 4-H uses more than a century of experience in youth development programming to build strong, confident leaders. Young people in the 4-H community learn:
- Leadership
- Citizenship
- A vast array of life skills that benefit them for the rest of their lives.
Through school-based, after-school, camp settings and community clubs, 4-H members pledge themselves to build a better community, country and world.
Education Attainment
Research shows that afterschool and summer learning programs improve student performance, school-day attendance, and overall student engagement. Out-of- school time programs can offer homework help, tutoring, and additional, hands-on learning opportunities in areas like STEM, art, and music. These factors combine to improve academic performance, and, in the long-term, lead to increased earning potential for New Mexico students, and help close the achievement gap for students living in economically difficult circumstances.
U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2019-2023 5-year estimates
Children in Poverty
The demand for afterschool programs in communities of concentrated poverty is much higher than the national average. In communities of concentrated poverty, more than half of children (56 percent) not in an afterschool program would be enrolled in one if it were available to them, compared to the national average of 41 percent. Parents living in communities of concentrated poverty—both parents with and without a child in an afterschool program—report challenges regarding the availability and accessibility of afterschool programs in their area. Children living in areas of concentrated poverty are often from families with limited educational background and may face difficulty in getting help with homework after hours. They may also have less access to technology, books, and educational materials in the home. An after-school program can provide a few additional hours during the day in the presence of a caring adult, and with access to computers, art and science equipment, and a variety of educational materials and activities. Summer learning programs can also help prevent summer learning loss that tends to exacerbate the achievement gap between students from low and high-income families. In addition, too many of New Mexico’s children suffer from hunger and food insecurity. Afterschool and summer programs can help provide a healthy, substantial snack or a healthy, warm meal for children who might otherwise go to bed hungry. It’s tough to learn when you can’t hear yourself think over the rumbling of your stomach.
U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2019-2023 5-year estimates
Disconnected Youth
Afterschool is a place that sparks passion and fuels imagination. It helps young people discover who they are and what they love to do. Students in afterschool programs learn by doing, strengthen their social skills, and prepare for the jobs of tomorrow. Afterschool programs also allow parents to focus on providing for their families—rather than worrying about whether their children are supervised or coordinating rides. Parents need flexible, affordable options after the school bell rings, and to know their children are safe. Afterschool provides that assurance. Finally, afterschool is a safe haven that helps children and teens avoid risky behaviors, online and offline, during the hours of 3 to 6 p.m., when juvenile crime and victimization peaks. Roughly 70,000 New Mexico children are unsupervised during that window.
Out-of-school time programs like afterschool and summer learning can:
- Create a safe and empowering space for young men and women.
- Provide peer support and strengthen self-esteem and resilience.
- Provide training on topics related to life skills, healthy relationships, warning signs of abuse, and where to seek help.
- Promote healthy attitudes and behaviors in their families and communities.
U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2019-2023 5-year estimates
Low Proficiency
Afterschool and summer learning programs are locally designed school and community solutions that help students learn and grow, keep children and teenagers safe, and support parents in balancing work and family. Students in programs participate in hands-on learning, discover new interests, receive nutritious snacks and meals, and have the chance to be physically active. Programs offer a broad array of enriching activities—from learning about electricity and how to build circuits to growing vegetables and preparing healthy meals—that help students build their communications skills, learn how to work collaboratively, and foster confidence in themselves. These are foundational skills and competencies that students need as they move through school and toward adulthood. A study following close to 3,000 low-income elementary and middle school students across eight states, representing both urban centers and rural communities, found that students who regularly participated in high quality afterschool programs improved their classroom work habits and task persistence.
Research shows that regular attendance in afterschool:
- Improves academic performance and school-day attendance
- Reduces dropout rates
- Reduces the achievement gap for low-income students
