A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

Initiative 6:
21st Century Community Learning Centers

The 21st Century Community Learning Centers initiative enables communities to establish or expand school-based programs to provide our nation's children and other community members with after-school, weekend and summer programs in safe, drug-free and supervised environments. These centers provide academic enrichment and support; recreational, artistic, sports, and cultural activities; opportunities for children to participate in community service projects, nutritional and health services, access to technology and telecommunications and activities to promote parent involvement and lifelong learning that can directly and indirectly benefit their children.

The Department will award three-year grants to rural and inner city public elementary, middle or secondary schools, consortia of such schools, or local education agencies applying on their behalf. The legislation states that schools "should collaborate with other public and nonprofit agencies and organizations; local businesses; educational entities (e.g., vocational and adult education programs, school-to-work programs, community colleges and universities); and recreational, cultural and other community and human service entities, for the purpose of meeting the needs of, and expanding the opportunities available to, the residents of the communities served by such schools." By statute, applications must include "a description of the collaborative efforts to be undertaken by community-based organizations, related public agencies, businesses or other appropriate organizations."

Publications:
Keeping Schools Open as Community Learning Centers: http://www.ed.gov/pubs/LearnCenters/
Safe and Smart: Making the After School Hours Work for Kids:
http://www.ed.gov/pubs/SafeandSmart/

Fact sheets and questions and answers for this initiative are available on the U.S. Department of Education Web site at http://www.ed.gov/inits/FY00/index.html.

Program Director: Robert Stonehill, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, 202-260-9737, Fax: 202-260-3420, e-mail: robert.stonehill@ed.gov

Additional Contacts:
Amanda Clyburn, 202-219-2180, and Steve Balkcom, 202-219-2089

Program Web site: http://www.ed.gov/offices/OESE/21stcclc/
E-mail: 21stCCLC@ed.gov

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