Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (Title IV, Part B)

Program Description

This program supports the creation of community learning centers that provide academic enrichment opportunities during non-school hours for children, particularly students who attend high-poverty and low-performing schools. The program helps students meet state and local academic standards in core academic subjects, such as reading and math; offers students a broad array of enrichment activities that can complement their regular academic programs; and offers literacy and other educational services to the families of participating children.

21^st Century Community Learning Center (CCLC) Program Subgrantee Best Practice Spotlight Submission Process

The U.S. Department of Education's (Department) Nita M. Lowey 21^st Century Community Learning Center (21^st CCLC) program is seeking assistance from State educational agencies (SEAs) in identifying innovative and engaging 21^st CCLC subgrantee programs to spotlight. The Department's 21^st CCLC will select up to two subgrantee programs to spotlight quarterly on its program's landing page.

All submissions should be made to 21stCCLC@ed.gov with the subject Subgrantee Spotlight. SEAs will need to submit a hi-resolution JPEG or PNG file and provide the following information:

• Program name and location
• Program contact information
• Student names and grades
• Description of activity, achievement, or accomplishment
• Description of the positive impact the sub-grantee brings to the overall goals and mission of the 21st CCLC program

The Department will review submissions using a scoring rubric for overall goals and participation of student, teacher, parental, and community engagement of the 21st CCLC program. The scoring rubric can be viewed here.

Please find the timeline for submissions and publication for the upcoming year below:

21st CCLC Subgrantee Best Practice Spotlight

The Department is pleased to spotlight programs being implemented using 21^st CCLC funds.

Sonora Elementary in Springdale, AR

Sonora Elementary School provides an effective and positive 21st CCLC program in Springdale, Arkansas. They are one of nine programs in the Springdale School District. Springdale is one of the largest districts in Arkansas with a student enrollment of more than 22,500 students. They serve as a mentoring program to new grantees and take part in local and state training opportunities.  

Recently, students read "Balloons Over Broadway" by Melissa Sweet. The book is a story about a puppeteer who invented the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade. Students learned the science behind the present-day balloons and how they are currently made. (3 different types exist in our present-day parade) Students then learned fun facts that apply to learning across multiple curriculums including career development, science, and history. The project was a fun way for students to look at the history of America. Example: Students found out that until 1939 horses pulled the floats in the parade. This required them to look back into history to see why they used horses and not cars. Students took a closer look at an American tradition to see how and why it started and looked at the artistic and scientific skills needed to create this event. Students had to sketch out and plan their balloons. Students practiced trial and error as they discovered their vision didn't always look the same in real life. They had to figure out the weight distribution so that the balloon would float straight and how to carry it so that it would appear to be floating. Students learned new vocabulary, a better understanding of the properties of helium, and the design process done by professional artists.  

Two of their grant goals were met with this project: improving students' reading comprehension skills and improving student efficacy. Students had to read from many sources to complete a task. The need to gather information and problem-solve motivated the students. Additionally, some students had to be scaffolded to provide multiple entry points. The students' efficacy grew as they completed the challenging task. Their middle school partners came to watch the parade which allowed the students an opportunity to show off their projects and build their confidence as they received positive feedback. See highlights of the Arkansas Balloon Parade.                             

The Dream Center Academy in Gastonia, NC

The 21st Century Community Learning Center (CCLC) program, The Dream Center Academy in Gastonia, North Carolina is designed to provide expanded academic enrichment opportunities for high school students attending low-performing schools. They have been in existence for seven years and are currently serving over 150 students. in On May 3, 2024, the Dream Center Academy hosted its first senior class graduation celebration at the Gaston Country Club. The event was sponsored by STAT Services of Gaston County. Students, parents, and community members attended this exciting event. Each student was recognized for their successful accomplishments in high school, for graduating on time and college and career ready, and for pursuing post-secondary education. Of its participants,

• 100 percent of seniors graduated college-career ready on May 24, 
• 18 had been accepted to colleges/universities and two were accepted to trade school, and 
• 85 percent would become first-generation college students. 

The local news featured the Dream Center Academy program this summer. The link to the story may be found here NC Dream Center Academy.

Nita M. Lowey 21^st Century Community Learning Centers Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) Measure Indicators

Resources

SEA Data Guide

This Data Guide provides basic explanations for all data submitted in the US Department of Education's (Department) 21st Century Community Learning Center's (21st CCLC) data collection system, 21APR. Its purpose is to assist those responsible for data entry at the State and grantee level on how to efficiently enter their data in the system. The Guide includes a layout that mirrors the actual 21APR system.

21APR New GPRA Final Implementation Guide

This Implementation Guide provides assistance to State educational agency 21^st CCLC programs on annual performance reporting (APR) data affected by the new Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) measures.

Reports

• 2022-23 APR Report
• 2021-22 APR Report
• 2020-21 APR Report
• 2019-20 APR Report
• 2018-19 APR Report
• 2017-18 APR Report
• 2016-17 APR Report
• 2015-16 APR Report

Nita M. Lowey 21^st Century Community Learning Centers Program Performance Plans and Reports

Coming Soon!

Key Documents

Key Documents | U.S. Department of Education. This page provides letters and reports to states for important programmatic activities, including the States’ consolidated State plans, requests for waivers, monitoring reports, and the peer reviews of State assessment systems. The list may be sorted or filtered by State, year, program, and activity.

Legislation

Program Authority: Title IV, Part B of the ESEA, as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
(20 U.S.C. 7171-7176).

The authorizing legislation can be found at: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/COMPS-748/pdf/COMPS-748.pdf (see pages 233 through 244 of the legislation).

Regulations

• Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR)

The following portions of EDGAR apply to the 21^st CCLC program: 34 C.F.R. Part 76-State-Administered programs; 34 C.F.R. Part 77-Definitions that Apply to Department Regulations; 34 C.F.R. Part 82-New Restrictions on Lobbying; 34 C.F.R. Part 85-Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension (Non-procurement) and Governmentwide Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace (Grants); and 34 C.F.R. Part 99-Family Educational Rights and Privacy.

• Uniform Guidance (2 CFR § 200)

The Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (commonly called "Uniform Guidance") was adopted by the Department in December 2014, 2 CFR Part 3474, and provides a government-wide framework for grants management and sets an authoritative set of rules and requirements for Federal awards that synthesizes and supersedes guidance from earlier OMB circulars. The Uniform Guidance addresses such issues as time and effort certifications, indirect cost reimbursement, timely obligation of funds and carryover, financial management rules, program income, record retention, property/equipment/supplies inventory controls, procurement, monitoring, conflicts, travel policies, and allowable costs.

Guidance

Title IV, Part B Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers Non-Regulatory Guidance (Updated September 3, 2024)

21st Century Community Learning Centers Non-Regulatory Guidance

21st Century Community Learning Centers Non-Regulatory Guidance (Spanish)

21st Century Community Learning Centers Guidance Summary Response to Public Comments Received

21st Century Community Learning Centers Guidance Summary Response to Public Comments Received (Spanish)

21st Century Community Learning Centers Non-Regulatory Guidance Webinar PPT

Title VIII, Part F of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965: Equitable Services for Eligible Private School Children, Teachers, and Other Educational Personnel, Non-Regulatory Guidance | PDF (760 KB) (July 17, 2023)

Title VIII, Part F of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965: Equitable Services for Eligible Private School Children, Teachers, and Other Educational Personnel, Non-Regulatory Guidance (Spanish)

Funding Status

*The fiscal year 2022 figures include funds provided under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022, and the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act.

Awards

*The fiscal year 2022 figures include funds provided under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022, and the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act.

Additional Information

Please see the U.S. Department of Education's (ED's) Budget History Tables for information on the President's budget requests and enacted appropriations for major ED programs.

State Administered Nita M. Lowey 21^st Century Community Learning Centers Database

The Nita M. Lowey 21^st Century Community Learning Centers Annual Performance Report website can be found at 21apr.ed.gov.

Need help? Email 21apr@thetactilegroup.com or call 1-888-282-4589. We will get back to you as soon as possible within two business days.

Please check back periodically for updates.

Who May Apply: (by category) State Education Agencies (SEAs)

Who May Apply: (specifically) Awards are made to SEAs, which in turn manage statewide competitions and award grants to eligible entities. For this program, eligible entity means local education agencies (LEAs),community-based organizations, Indian tribe or tribal organization (as such terms are defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Act (25 U.S.C.450b)), another public or private entity, or a consortium of 2 or more such agencies, organizations or entities, may apply to states for subgrants.

Consistent with this definition of eligible entities, faith-based organizations are eligible to participate in the Nita M. Lowey 21^st Century Community Learning Centers program. Regulations are available governing the participation of faith-based organizations in Federal programs for which they are eligible are available.

US Department of Education Contacts

21st CCLC Group Lead: Dr. La' Shawndra Scroggins

Mailing Address:
U.S. Department of Education, OESE
Nita M. Lowey 21^st Century Community Learning Centers
400 Maryland Ave. S.W., 3W202
LBJ Federal Office Building
Washington, DC 20202-6200

For general information please email us at: 21stCCLC@ed.gov

Department Telephone: (800) 872-5327 or (800) USA-LEARN

21st CCLC State Department of Education Websites and Contacts

Meetings

Nita M. Lowey 21^st Century Community Learning Centers SEA Coordinators Meetings

The Nita M. Lowey 21^st CCLC program hosts meetings for SEA Coordinators twice a year to provide Department updates and information and resources to support their State program. Recorded sessions and presentations can be found here. You must have a 21^st CCLC National Technical Assistance Center login to access these SEA-only resources.

Nita M. Lowey 21^st Century Community Learning Centers Summer Symposiums

The Nita M. Lowey 21^st CCLC program is pleased to host an annual symposium for 21^st CCLC State educational agencies and 21^st CCLC subgrantees and their partners. The symposium offers plenary sessions, topical breakout sessions, networking opportunities, and exhibits designed to engage and inspire attendees. Recorded sessions from virtual symposiums and presentations will be posted on the NTAC site soon.

Technical Assistance and Professional Development

21^st Century Community Learning Centers National Technical Assistance Center

The 21^st CCLC National Technical Assistance Center (NTAC) provides best practices, evidence-based resources, and learning opportunities to build the capacity of 21^st CCLC professionals and stakeholders to support underserved youth and their families.

NTAC builds capacity in Nita M. Lowey 21^st CCLC programs by:

• Providing professional development, training, and technical assistance to 21^st CCLC professionals
• Providing resources grounded in best practices and evidence-based strategies to address the impact of the pandemic on students, educators, and families
• Promoting every student’s access to educational resources and opportunities
• Meeting students’ academic, social, and emotional needs
• Connecting 21^st CCLC program leaders and staff to colleagues across the nation
• Fostering collaboration and connection between the 21^st CCLC program and other federal and nonfederal partners

Correspondence

21^st CCLC BSCA Memo

This document describes the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act supplemental funds allocated to States and effective ways to use these funds (October 27, 2022)

Resources for Resettled Afghan Evacuees

Dear Colleague Letter from Deputy Secretary Marten Regarding Federal K-12 Resources to Support Resettled Afghan Students (January 14, 2022)

Dear Colleague letter on community violence intervention resources

This document outlines resources that are available to states, districts, and schools to support community violence intervention efforts (October 25, 2021)

Waivers

The Department receives waiver requests by 21^st CCLC programs and by the State educational agency for a variety of reasons. To view waivers by State, program, or year visit State Requests for Waivers.

Monitoring Reports

The Department's Nita M. Lowey 21^st CCLC program team monitors States annually to ensure programs are aligned to statute and relevant regulations. To access State monitoring reports, please click State Reports. You may search by State, program, year, and category. For monitoring reports, select Performance Review in the Category dropdown.