SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today issued the following statement regarding SB 638, which will help schools expand and improve the quality of before and after school programs.

"Many children need a safe place to go after the end of the school day and before their parents get home from work. Ideally, after school programs also provide educational enrichment, physical activities and homework assistance. This bill will help us meet this need for many more children and will help to improve the quality of existing programs."