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MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL ( 12/2/2003 ) --University of Minnesota President Robert Bruininks is creating a commission to study the important role time outside of school plays in young people's learning and development.

Bruininks will announce formation of the Minnesota Commission on Out-of-School Time during a special event from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, at the Hallie Q. Brown-Martin Luther King Community Center, 270 N. Kent St., St. Paul.

The commission will be made up of parents, researchers, business representatives, young people, adult community members and people who program youth activities. Bruininks has asked the commission to craft the vision and strategies needed to ensure Minnesota's young people--ages 8 to 18--have engaging opportunities to learn and develop during the times when they are not in school."How and where young people are spending their out-of-school time is a major concern for working families, businesses, communities, schools and neighborhoods throughout Minnesota," Bruininks said.

On average, young people have nearly 2,000 hours of discretionary time without structure or supervision, according to a report from the Carnegie Council on Adolescent Development. In Minnesota, 42 percent or nearly twice the national average of children ages 10 to 12 are home alone after school, according to Urban Institute research based on data from the 1999 National Survey of American Families. Nationally, only 24 percent of children are home alone after school.

Research indicates that making the most of youth programs and activities can improve a young person's self confidence, connection to others, and academic and social competence. Research also shows a strong connection between youth involvement in intentional, challenging learning activities and their positive development. Students who participate in after-school programs have better school attendance, better grades and test scores and a more positive attitude toward school work. Time spent in dance lessons, sports programs, summer programs and similar constructive activities also make a difference.

The commission's goals include building a foundation of public awareness surrounding the importance of out-of-school time, enhancing strategic use of public and private resources for out-of-school time programs, forming policies that enhance learning and development for Minnesota youth, enhancing the quality and impact of youth programs and activities and establishing clear benchmarks for the state when it comes to success in the area of out-of-school time.

The university's Center for 4-H Youth Development will guide and support the commission's work. The McKnight Foundation, the Minnesota Department of Education and the University of Minnesota Extension Service will fund the commission's work.

The commission will convene in January 2004 and will meet five times during the year. It will produce a series of reports and recommendations to improve out-of-school time for children and youth.

The commission's creation serves as a major action step in Bruininks' Initiative on Children, Youth and Families, a three-year effort to focus the university's expertise and public attention on the needs of children, youth and families.