1 21 st Century Community Learning Centers Technical Assistance Webcast U.S. Department of Education Office of Elementary and Secondary Education

2 Program Purpose 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. 1)Provide opportunities for academic enrichment, including providing tutorial services to help students, particularly students who attend low- performing schools, to meet State and local student academic achievement standards in core academic subjects, such as reading and mathematics;

3 Program Purpose (Continued) 2) Offer students a broad array of additional services programs, and activities that are designed to reinforce and complement the regular academic program of participating students; and 3) Offer families of students served by community learning centers opportunities for literacy and related educational development.

4 Project Activities Remedial education Math and science activities Arts and music education Tutoring and mentoring services Including the use of senior citizen volunteers Activities for limited English proficient students Entrepreneurial activities Technology telecommunications programs Recreational activities

5 Program Overview  Formula grant program—State Education Agency (SEA) applies to US Department of ED for funds  Organization can not apply to ED directly  SEA disperses funds by awarding sub-grants  Competition dates will vary by state  Eligible organizations apply to SEA  Applications reviewed by a panel of reviewers  Up to 5% of SEA’s 21 st Century funds to be used for administration and activities (training, monitoring,etc.)  ED’s non-regulatory guidance:

6 Program Facts  Minimum award amount: $50,000 annually  Life of the grant award cycle: 3 to 5 years  Applicant may propose to conduct project in multiple sites  States are urged to fund projects in urban and rural areas  Competition dates will vary by state  Competitive priorities for partnerships between Local Education Agencies (LEA) and community based organizations

7 Target Population Schools with a high concentration of students from low-income families and high rates of poverty Title I schools designated in need of improvement Students attending charter schools Parents and family of eligible students Adult residents not related to eligible students are not eligible to receive project services

8 Eligible Applicants Local Education Agencies (LEAs) City or county governments Institutions of higher education (IHEs) For profit agencies Non-profits, including faith-based and community organizations (FBCOs) Partnerships of these organizations

9 Competition Priority States must give priority to applications that propose to target services to students who attend schools that have been identified as in need of improvement and are submitted jointly by eligible entities consisting of not less than one—  LEA receiving funds under part A of Title I; and  Community-based organization or other public or private entity.

10 Competition Priority (Special Rule) The SEA shall provide the same priority to an application submitted by a LEA if the LEA demonstrates that it is unable to partner with a community-based organization in reasonable geographic proximity and of sufficient quality to meet the requirements of this part. States may include other priorities

11 Location/Hours of Operation Center does not have to be located in a public school Facility is available and convenient to target population Facility operates during non-school hours Before or after school Weekends Summers Adheres to all safety and health code laws

12  Application should be a road map  Clear, concise, detailed  “Reader Friendly”  Recipe for success: 2/3 Planning & 1/3 writing  Persuasive and informative document  Assemble a writing team  1 to 5 people to address selection criteria  1 person to serve as an editor  At least an extra pair of eyes to review  READ CAREFULLY & FOLLOW DIRECTIONS Grant Writing Tips

13 An evaluation of the community needs and available resources for the community learning center; A description of how the project proposed to be carried out in the center will address those needs (including the needs of working families); An assurance that the project will primarily target students attending schools where at least 40% of the children are from low-income families; Application Contents

14 Gathering Community Data  Use recent local data to demonstrate need  Compare target to state, region, and nation  Work with LEAs, state and local governments  Contact Congressional Representative for stats  U.S. Census Bureau—American Fact Finder  Primary tool for stats on:  Population  Education  Income Census.gov

15 A description of the before and after school or summer recess activities to be funded, including— An assurance that the project will take place in a safe and easily accessible facility; A description of how participating students in the project will travel safely to and from the center and home; A plan to inform the community about project site—including its location—in an understandable manner; Application Contents (Continued)

16 Application Contents (Continued) A demonstration that the applicant has experience or promise of success in carrying out its project; A description of how the project activities are expected to improve student academic achievement; A description, if applicable, of how the eligible entity will encourage and use appropriately qualified seniors to serve as volunteers in the project; A description of how activities will meet the principles of effectiveness;

17 Principles of Effectiveness A project’s activities shall be based on: Assessment of objective data for the project’s need; Established set of performance measures aimed at ensuring the availability of high quality academic enrichment activities; and Scientifically based research that provides evidence that the project will help students meet the state and local student academic achievement standards.

18 Application Contents (Continued) Include an assurance that the project was developed, and will be carried out, in active collaboration with the schools the students attend; Provide a description of the partnership between the LEA, a community-based organization, and another public entity or private entity; Include an assurance that the community will be given notice of an intent to submit an application and that the application and any waiver request will be available for public review after submission;

19 Identify federal, state and local programs that will be combined or coordinated with the project to maximize the most effective use of public resources; Include an assurance that funds under this part will be used to increase the level of state, local and other non-federal funds, and in no case supplant federal, state, local or non-federal funds; and Application Contents (Continued)

20 Application Contents (Continued) Give a description of a preliminary plan for how the community learning center will continue after funding under this grant program ends: Provide a budget for the life of the grant and beyond Highlight community buy-in Seek out sources to meet any matching requirements Reach out to community businesses

21 Budgeting Expenditures $ Allowable -- either permitted or not specifically prohibited $ Allocable -- necessary for project success $ Reasonable -- costs that would be incurred by “prudent” person

22 Matching/Cost Sharing Demonstration of institutional commitment Cash In-kind contribution such as equipment, supplies, facilities and staff time May be required by the SEA Will not exceed grant award amount May not be derived from federal or state sources Ability to provide match will not affect the applicant’s score or the funding decision Partnership grantees should share matching burden

23 Matching Tips Honor all commitments in application Primary grantee (fiscal agent) tracks matching contributions of all partners Read matching requirements carefully Total project costs include both the federal share plus the applicant share If the total project costs were $200,000 and there were a 50% matching requirement, the federal share would be $100,000 and the applicant share would be $100,000

24 Quality of the Evaluation  “The Clincher Category” strong evaluation is absolutely critical for successful project  Periodic review throughout life of the grant  Unbiased measurement of project goals and objectives  Solid understanding of up to date research on effective instructional practices  For both project design and evaluation

25 Developing a Strong Evaluation Component  Assessment of objective data  Consider the initial need  Effectiveness of activities to achieve goals  Established set of performance measures aimed at ensuring high-quality academic enrichment opportunities  If appropriate, scientifically based research provides evidence project’s activities will improve student academic performance

26 Evaluation Tips  Conduct pre and post tests  Develop individual development plans for all participants  Communicate with students’ teachers  Measure five components of reading instruction  Phonemic awareness  Phonics  Vocabulary  Reading fluency, including oral reading skills  Reading comprehension strategies

27 Winning Reminders Plan ahead Assess organizational strengths/weaknesses ID target population and their need Determine what services you can provide Be aware of state submission requirements, deadlines, etc Develop a partnership with an LEA Outline roles and responsibilities Select a fiscal agent Attend technical assistance workshops Identify your state’s 21 st Century contact at:

28 Resources  21 st Century Community Learning Centers Program Office address:  Center for Faith-based and Community Initiatives:  

29 Thank you for ensuring that No Child Is Left Behind USA LEARN