The 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program provides academic, artistic and cultural enrichment opportunities for children, particularly students who attend high poverty and low-performing schools, to meet state and local standards in core academic subjects, such as reading, math and science. The purpose is to provide students with homework assistance and a broad array of activities that can complement their regular academic programs while also promoting youth development; and to offer literacy and other educational services to the families of participating children. Programs must ensure the academic services provided are aligned with the school's curriculum in the core subject areas. Applicants must address, but are not limited to, the following goals for Kentucky's 21st CCLC programs:
- Increase academic achievement of regularly participating students.
- Improve non-cognitive indicators of success in regularly participating students.
- Increase the number of students attending the program 30 days or more during the academic year.
- Increase access to high-quality programming.
- Increase access to college/career preparation activities for middle and high school students.
- Increase educational opportunities for parents and families that support academic achievement.
The 21st CCLC program is committed to ensuring that students have access to high-quality and engaging enrichment activities that truly support their learning and development. The 21st CCLC initiative further stresses the importance of diverse groups and organizations working together to strengthen school and community networks to help students and families succeed.
Title I funds, in concert with the 21st CCLC program funds, can provide extended/expanded learning programs in schools to integrate enrichment and recreation opportunities with academic services. 21st CCLC program funds can also meet the needs of parents seeking additional academic assistance and supplemental educational services (such as tutoring and academic enrichment) for their children.
It is essential that each applicant addresses student achievement gaps identified in each school the grant is to serve. Additionally, 21st CCLC program plans within the application will adhere to the Kentucky Academic Standards and will be aligned to the school day. Applicants must address strategies that will be implemented to address student needs and student success.
FY18 awardees are listed at: https://education.ky.gov/districts/business/Documents/21st%20CCLC%20Awards%20FY18%20fix.docx
Elementary and primary 21st CCLC sites will, in addition to meeting all other grant directives, partner with schools to provide reading intervention targeting K-3 students performing significantly below grade level, if served by the grant. The 21st CCLC program staff will consult with the school's reading interventionist or instructional lead to identify students and determine strategies to address proficiency during out-of-school time programming (before school, after school, summer). Grant funds may not be used to cover the training cost or a portion of the training cost for a reading interventionist or reading teacher. Grant funds may be used to pay a trained reading interventionist or reading teacher to work in the after school program with students.