This "Research Update" explores two major themes: (1) Using evaluation to shape program improvement and planning; and (2) Out-of-school time benefits to older youth and their families. Themes were culled from 13 research and evaluation reports added to the Out-of-School Time (OST) Program Research and Evaluation Bibliography in September 2008. Increasing demands for accountability have led many OST staff to use evaluation to demonstrate program value to stakeholders. These evaluations have potential to shape program improvement and planning. At time, however, accountability demands leave staff with restricted time and resources to examine how evaluations can improve the quality of their programs. Several of the studies in this review use evaluation both to demonstrate program value and to strive for continuous improvement. Until recently, much OST programming and related research has focused on serving elementary school-age children, with less attention paid to middle and high school-age youth. At an age when they are beginning to become more independent, teens still need to have some structure and guidance. Increasingly, stakeholders in the OST arena are coming to see after school programs as an underutilized asset to improve outcomes for older youth in such areas as academics, prevention, and workforce readiness. Research and Evaluation Studies Included in This Review information is appended. (Contains 6 footnotes and 1 table.)