The National Academies established a committee of experts with diverse backgrounds to conduct a consensus study on the learning and development of young people from low-income households in OST programs. The committee included experts in public policy, child and adolescent development, developmental psychology, sociology, population health, juvenile justice, economics, research and evaluation, and program design and delivery. 

The committee was asked to review the evidence in four key areas and consider the intersections between economic stress and other factors that have operated historically to marginalize young people. The four key areas were: 

• Characterize the array of OST programs and activities.
• Evaluate the strength and limitations of the evidence on the effectiveness of OST programs and activities in promoting learning, development, and well-being.
• Outline improvements to existing policies and regulations to increase program access and quality.
• Develop a research agenda to strengthen the OST evidence base.