21st Century Community Learning Centers (CLC)

21st Century Community Learning Centers Title IV Part B of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB)

Background & History

The passage of the NCLB significantly amended the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) to expand state and local accountability and flexibility and to stress the adoption of research-based practice. It also substantially changed the 21st Century Communities Learning Center (CLC) program.

What is the purpose of the 21st Century Community Learning Centers?

The purpose of the program is to create community learning centers that provide students with academic enrichment opportunities, as well as additional activities designed to complement their regular academic program. Community learning centers must also offer families of these students literacy and related educational development. Centers - which can be located in elementary or secondary schools or other similarly accessible facilities - provide a range of high-quality services to support student learning and development, including tutoring and mentoring, homework help, academic enrichment (such as hands-on science or technology programs), community service opportunities, as well as music, arts, sports, and cultural activities. At the same time, centers help working parents by providing a safe environment for students when school is not in session.

Which student populations are the priorities for CLCs?

CLC funds will support centers that primarily serve students from schools that have at least 40% of their students from low income families (defined as qualifying for free and reduced lunch, although other sources of objective data in addition to free and reduced lunch count may be used to establish eligibility). In addition, eligible applicants proposing to primarily serve students from schools with significant acedemic deficiencies will receive priority for grant awards.

---

Title I Funds Able to Be Used to Support Extended Learning Opportunities

The recent passage of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) will lead to a significant increase in the availability of Title I funds. A memo to CLC program coordinators from the office of Assistant State Superintendent Carolyn Stanford Taylor explains how these funds may be used in support of after-school programs and other extended learning opportunities.

On March 30, 2009, DPI hosted a Wisline-Web conference to review the appropriate use of Title I funds to support afterschool activities. A PDF of the PowerPoint presentation can be found here.

---

CLC Resources and Forms

• CLC Grant Renewal Application
• CLC Renewal Grant Application Guidelines
• Grant Information
• List of CLC Grantees
• Annual Performance Report
• Assessments
• Budget Change Request Form
• Fiscal Reimbursement Claim Form
• 21st Century Community Learning Centers 2009-10 Executive Summary
• Ten Years of CLC Progress

  At the October 8, 2008, gathering of CLC grantees in Wisconsin Dells, Steve Fernan of the DPI provided a presentation on progress made toward the 10 national goals established for the program. In the presentation and attached slides, evidence is provided on the success of after school programs nationally that schools and their partners can be proud of.

---

Training & Technical Assistance

• DPI Sponsored Activities
• Other Professional Development Opportunities

Resources

Contacts

For questions about this information, contact Alison B. Wineberg (608) 267-3751

Last updated on 2/1/2012 12:38:54 PM