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Fla. Gets High Marks For Afterschool Programs

TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/AP) – The state of Florida received high marks when it comes to its afterschool programs.

Florida is one of only nine states that received four out of a possible five stars in a national progress report released Wednesday. No states received five stars. The Afterschool Alliance and the JC Penney Foundation issued the report.

Florida Afterschool Network executive director Larry Pintacuda said it's a proud achievement, but work is still needed to increase the quality of Florida's programs.

The network's goals include creating and sustaining public and private partnerships for school-based and school-linked programs.

The ratings were based in part on growth in afterschool participation and development of state policy and funding. Another factor was advancement in afterschool leadership.

Research shows children in afterschool programs are more likely to succeed in school and stay out of trouble.

(TM and © Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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