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Once the dismissal bell rings at the end of the school day, millions of U.S. children and youths spend the rest of the afternoon without adult supervision.

Many preteens go home to an empty house where they waste their time on TV and video games. And many spend their afternoons on more dangerous pursuits. National statistics report that the rate of juvenile crime triples during the after-school hours. Unsupervised youths are more likely to smoke, drink, do drugs, and engage in sexual activity.

That's why it's so important for schools and communities to offer some sort of structured, after-school program.

The problem--and possible solutions--were highlighted at a recent interactive teleconference I participated in called Making After-School Count!, which featured presentations by Vice President Al Gore and U.S. Education Secretary Richard W. Riley.

Many school districts already provide after-school programs or work with other organizations to do so.

One example of an effective program is LA's BEST, which provides a wide variety of recreational and academic enrichment activities at 24 Los Angeles elementary schools at no cost to parents. Nearly 5,000 inner-city children in grades K-6 currently participate, and more than 35,000 children have benefited from the program.

Independent evaluations have shown these children get better grades and are more enthusiastic about school. Schools that operate LA's BEST programs report a 40 to 60 percent reduction in school-based crime.

New York City's Beacons Initiative, established in 1991, is one of the best examples of the school-based community center approach.

Beacon centers, located in 42 schools, are open during extended hours--after school, before school, on weekends, and in the evenings--with the goal of creating safe havens for children, youths, and families in inner-city neighborhoods.

The Beacons Initiative is being replicated in Denver, Minneapolis, San Francisco, and Savannah, Georgia.

After-school programs offer an excellent opportunity for school systems to collaborate with other agencies--local parks and recreation departments, girls and boys clubs, parents' organizations, private foundations, and for-profit companies--to provide a safe place for children until their parents come home.

While there are many excellent programs, not enough is being done to meet families' needs.

The Kids Count Data Book, issued May 15 by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, reports: "Most studies say that at least 3.5 million children under age 13 are left to fend for themselves for some part of the day. Some estimates place the number of latchkey children much higher."

Many parents are not happy about having their children come home from school to an empty home, but have no options. Recent surveys have found that more than 90 percent of parents want their child to attend an after-school program--and they want such programs to offer more than baby-sitting. But 70 percent of public elementary and middle schools do not offer after-school programs at all.

The need is especially critical in low-income communities, where students could benefit most from extracurricular activities and where there is more of a possibility that they could get involved in crime and gangs.

This is a lost opportunity. The 20 to 25 hours a week that many children spend without parental supervision could be devoted to positive activities to reinforce the school curriculum, provide homework help or extra computer time, or provide recreational outlets or classes in the arts. Even a quiet place to read or play with adult supervision is preferable to sending kids home to an empty house or out on the streets.

In 1995, less than 10 percent of the 23.5 million school-age children with working parents were enrolled in formal before- and after-school programs, according to the Kids Count Data Book. The report blames the low enrollment rates on program costs. Fees for after-school programs that run from 3 to 6 p.m., five days a week, average $130 per month per child, and there might be additional costs for transportation, making it hard for low-income families to participate.

To provide free or low-cost programs, school boards will need to obtain financial assistance from local organizations, foundations, or other sources. Funding is available for school districts that make the effort.

In January, the Mott Foundation pledged $55 million in support of a five-year, one-billion-dollar federal proposal to expand the before and after-school programs for children through the Education Department's 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program.

The money is slated to integrate learning into after-school programs, expand access to high-quality programs, ensure programs are available for low-income and hard-to-reach populations, and develop innovative models that can be shared nationwide.

The Clinton Administration has proposed expanding annual funding for the community learning centers program from the current $40 million to $200 million--although the possibility of congressional approval appears bleak.

NSBA encourages school boards to consider establishing an after-school program or make school buildings open after hours to organizations that will provide low-cost, constructive activities.

Such a program will better serve your students and families--and also help cut juvenile crime in your community and improve your student's chances for academic success.

Barbara M. Wheeler is president of the National School Boards Association. A member of the Downers Grove High School District 99 Board of Education, she is a past president of IASB.