Applications for this year’s 21st Century Community Learning Centers grants are now being accepted. The grant targets after-school and other programs that take place outside of regular school time. The deadline to apply is Feb. 19.
Grant recipients may be schools, but community organizations and other nonprofits are eligible to receive funding as well. In order to be considered for a grant, the children in the program’s service area must attend schools where 40 percent or more students are eligible for free and reduced lunches.
Grants range from $50,000 to $150,000 per year for each of five years.
Authorized under Title IV, Part B, of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, the grant’s specific purposes are to:
1) Provide opportunities for academic enrichment, including tutorial services, to help students (particularly students in high-poverty areas) meet state and local performance standards in core academic subjects such as reading and math;
2) Offer students a broad array of additional services, programs and activities such as youth development activities; drug and violence prevention programs; counseling programs; art, music and recreation programs; technology education programs and character education programs, designed to reinforce and complement participating students’ regular academic programs;
3) Offer literacy and related educational development opportunities to the families of students served by community learning centers.
To access an application, go to http://doe.sd.gov/oess/21cent/appprocess.asp
2) Offer students a broad array of additional services, programs and activities such as youth development activities; drug and violence prevention programs; counseling programs; art, music and recreation programs; technology education programs and character education programs, designed to reinforce and complement participating students’ regular academic programs;
3) Offer literacy and related educational development opportunities to the families of students served by community learning centers.
For more information, contact Sue Burgard, Department of Education, at (605) 773-5238 or sue.burgard@state.sd.us.