Authorized under Title IV, Part B, of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), as amended by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) program is designed to establish or expand community learning centers that provide students with academic enrichment opportunities along with activities designed to complement the students' regular academic program. 21st CCLC programs must also offer families of these students literacy and related educational development. Proposed programs must serve students who attend high-poverty and low-performing schools. Funds are distributed on a competitive basis giving consideration to applications that include schools in need of improvement.
The purpose of 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) program is to provide opportunities for applicants to establish or expand activities in community learning centers. Services provided focus on helping children in low-income schools succeed academically through the application of scientifically based practice. The program's specific purposes are to;
Eligible grantees must:
NOTE: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all Title IV, Part B - 21st CCLC grantees will be required to provide a brief description of adjustments being made to program offerings during this period of mandatory closure of school buildings and a justification for any necessary changes to the approved budgets. This can be done using the 21st CCLC Distance Learning form found at https://sde.ok.gov/sites/default/files/documents/files/21CCLC%20Distance%20Learning%20Plan.pdf.
The following are the allowable components for a 21st CCLC program:
Allowable Program Components
Some examples of non-allowable expenditures are:
A letter of intent must be submitted on March 5, 2024. Applicants will be able to access their application after the Letter of Intent is submitted. A similar deadline is anticipated annually.
Award amounts vary. Grants range from $50,000 to $300,000 per applicant, per year, for three years with an optional two years of additional funding. The OSDE encourages applicants to consider the scope of services, the number of students that will be served, the needs of the families and community, and current available assets when determining the amount for funding to request.