The American Rescue Plan (ARP) provides funding for implementing comprehensive, evidence-based programs to ensure resources respond to students' academic, social, and emotional needs and address the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on student populations. Using resources provided by the ARP, States, districts, and their partners have the opportunity to use out-of-school time (OST) to address the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on students, families, and their communities.
Out-of-school time programs, which occur before or after the regular school day or outside of the regular school year, can include a wide range of activities, including comprehensive afterschool or summer-learning and enrichment programs, vacation academies, work-based learning programs, youth development programs, and experiential or service-learning programs.
Research has shown that learning can happen in many contexts. High-quality, evidence-based programs can also lead to positive social, emotional, and academic outcomes, better attendance [PDF, 390KB], improved high school graduation, and decreased disciplinary actions [PDF, 467KB].
For more on building and using evidence to implement high-quality OST programs, visit the IES Implementation Guide.
The Initiative
On July 14th, 2022, ED, along with five coordinating partners in allyship with more than 20 national organizations, launched the Engage Every Student Initiative designed to ensure that every student who wants a spot in a high-quality out-of-school time program has one.
Join the movement and visit the resources:
US Department of Education Resources
Communities of Support
Through the following initiatives, the Department provides technical assistance to support access to high-quality out-of-school time learning. Please visit these sites for regularly updated resources:
- The Summer Learning and Enrichment Collaborative
- The National Comprehensive Center's Afterschool and Summer Set-aside Community of Practice
- You for Youth Professional Development and Technical Assistance for 21st Century Community Learning Centers
Recorded Events
- On April 26th, 2022, the Department's ARP Summit featured a session on Leveraging ARP to support equitable and effective Afterschool and Summer Learning Experience. Hear from South Carolina, Stamford, CT, and Tulsa, OK, about how they are using ARP funds to expand access to high-quality OST.
- Representatives from the U.S Department of Education (ED) also joined a webinar with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to discuss ways to utilize funds from multiple agencies successfully.
- Representatives from the U.S. Department of Education and the National Comprehensive Center presented at the 2022 NAESPA Conference on High-Quality Out-of-School Time.
- Representatives from the U.S. Department of Education and AmeriCorps presented at the 21st Century Community Learning Center 2021 Summer Symposium about creative partnerships to support staffing in out-of-school time.
- Supporting Students Experiencing Homelessness in Summer. The Mid Atlantic Equity Consortium (MAEC) will host a series of webinars to examine homelessness education and summer supports. To register, click here
Department Resources
- What Works Clearinghouse Practice Guide: Structuring Out-of-School Time to Improve Academic Achievement
- IES Implementation Guide: Building and Using Evidence in Summer, Afterschool and Other Out-of-School Time Settings
- Supporting Learning Acceleration with ARP Funds Fact Sheet (April 2022) [PDF, 349KB]
- ARP ESSER Guidance and Resources
- 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant Program Guidance and Resources
- Supporting Students Experiencing Homelessness in Summer. The Mid Atlantic Equity Consortium (MAEC) will host a series of webinars to examine homelessness education and summer supports. To register, click here.
Other Federal Resources
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