After-School Programs
Stored: After-School Programs
| Type | Program |
|---|---|
| Sponsor Organization | Office of Elementary and Secondary Education |
| Top Organization | Department of Education |
| Creation Legislation | Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (Public Law 89-10), 21st Century Community Learning Centers Act of 2001 (Public Law 107-110) |
| Website | Website |
| Purpose | After-School Programs, backed by 21CCLC and ED's Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, fund community-based enrichment, tutoring, and recreation to boost academics, cut crime, and support families in low-income areas. |
| Program Start | 1998 (for 21CCLC) |
| Initial Funding | $40 million |
| Duration | Ongoing |
| Historic | No |
The After-School Programs, rooted in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 and formalized under the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Act of 2001, are administered by the Department of Education (ED) through its Office of Elementary and Secondary Education to provide grants to schools, community organizations, and nonprofits, allocating over $20 billion since inception to support approximately 1.6 million students annually by 2025. Initially funded with $40 million for 21CCLC in 1998, it has grown to distribute $1.3 billion in FY 2024 across 10,000 grants, funding programs like tutoring, arts, sports, and STEM activities at community centers, schools, and libraries nationwide.[1] Despite its impact, challenges like funding competition, limited access in rural areas, and program sustainability persist (web ID: 5), but it remains a cornerstone of ED’s efforts to support student success.
Goals
- Improve academic achievement and school attendance through tutoring, homework help, and enrichment activities.
- Reduce juvenile crime and risky behaviors by providing safe, supervised environments after school.
- Support working families and promote healthy child development through recreational and mentoring opportunities.[2]
Organization
After-School Programs are managed by ED’s Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, overseen by Secretary Linda McMahon since 2025, with state education agencies (SEAs) and local providers implementing grants under federal oversight. It operates via annual appropriations, guided by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, 21st Century Community Learning Centers Act, and subsequent funding acts like Public Law 117-328 (2022).[3]
Partners
History
Authorized by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (Public Law 89-10) and formalized by the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Act of 2001 (Public Law 107-110), and launched with $40 million for 21CCLC in 1998, After-School Programs expanded with annual appropriations, reaching $1.3 billion in FY 2024.[4] It grew from serving 500,000 students annually in 1999 to 1.6 million by 2025, addressing youth needs with innovations like STEM programs (web ID: 5). By 2025, it has funded over $20 billion, though GAO notes funding competition concerns (web ID: 5).
Funding
Initial funding of $40 million in 1998 (for 21CCLC) supported the program’s launch, with over $20 billion appropriated by 2025 via annual ED budgets—e.g., $1.3 billion in FY 2024.[5] Ongoing appropriations under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and 21st Century Community Learning Centers Act sustain its operations, with no fixed end as it addresses ongoing youth needs, funded through federal grants to SEAs.
Implementation
After-School Programs distribute competitive grants annually, requiring applicants to propose programs meeting ED goals, tracked via ED’s grant management system.[6] It progresses through partnerships with community organizations—e.g., 1.6 million students yearly—and program expansions, adapting to youth needs with no set end, though rural access remains a challenge (web ID: 5).
Related
External links
- https://www2.ed.gov/programs/21stcclc/index.html
- https://afterschoolalliance.org
- wikipedia:21st Century Community Learning Centers
Social media
References
- ↑ "21st Century Community Learning Centers". U.S. Department of Education. https://www2.ed.gov/programs/21stcclc/index.html.
- ↑ "Benefits for Youth, Families, and Communities". Youth.gov. https://youth.gov/youth-topics/afterschool-programs/benefits-youth-families-communities.
- ↑ "Office of Elementary and Secondary Education". U.S. Department of Education. https://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/oese/index.html.
- ↑ "21st Century Community Learning Centers Act of 2001". U.S. Congress. https://www.congress.gov/bill/107th-congress/house-bill/1.
- ↑ "21st Century Community Learning Centers". U.S. Department of Education. https://www2.ed.gov/programs/21stcclc/index.html.
- ↑ "Apply for ED Grants". U.S. Department of Education. https://www2.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/grantapps/index.html.