Out-of-School Time Strategic Tool for Assessing Readiness to Thrive (START)
OST START Video Series — Series Overview
OST START—the Out-of-School-Time Strategic Tool for Assessing Readiness to Thrive—helps organizations and school districts take a structured look at their current capacity to plan, launch, implement, and strengthen high-quality OST programs. This on-demand video series walks you through each of the tool’s three readiness domains and shows how to use the companion scoring workbook to identify strengths, surface capacity gaps, and turn results into practical next steps. Use the series when preparing to launch a new program, expand an existing initiative, strengthen current practice, or revisit organizational readiness over time. Download a copy of the OST Strategic Tool for Assessing Readiness to Thrive (START).
Domain 1: Program Planning and Launch Readiness
A strong OST program starts with a feasible, well-supported plan. This video introduces Program Planning and Launch Readiness and explores whether the key elements needed to launch or expand a program are clearly defined, confirmed, resourced, and supported by evidence. Learn how to assess readiness related to community needs, program design, organizational commitment, and the systems and resources needed to move from planning to launch.
Domain 2: Program Implementation Readiness
A strong plan also needs the capacity to become a strong participant experience. This video introduces Program Implementation Readiness and examines whether the staffing, schedules, practices, partnerships, and supports are in place to deliver consistent, engaging, and developmentally appropriate OST programming. Use this domain to identify where implementation systems are strong and where additional preparation or capacity building may be needed.
Domain 3: Continuous Improvement Readiness
High-quality OST programming continues to develop after launch. This video introduces Continuous Improvement Readiness and examines your organization’s capacity to monitor implementation, manage useful data, understand participant progress, and use regular feedback and review cycles to strengthen program quality. Learn how this domain can help your team build the routines and systems needed to learn from evidence and improve over time.
Companion Scoring Workbook
Turn your OST START reflection into an actionable readiness profile. This video walks through the OST START Scoring Workbook, including how to enter core-area ratings, review results across the three domains, identify strengths and capacity-building priorities, and document next steps. The workbook helps your team look beyond a single overall score, recognize patterns across areas of readiness, and create a focused action plan you can revisit as your program develops. Download a copy of the OST START Scoring Workbook.
Help Us Improve OST START
OST START is currently being piloted, and we’d value your feedback.
As you use the assessment tool, workbook, and supporting resources, your experience can help us understand what works well and what could be improved.
Sign up to receive a brief 3-minute user survey later this fall and help shape future versions of OST START.