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21st Century Community Learning Centers

A critical funding stream for afterschool

The 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) initiative is the only federal funding source dedicated to supporting local summer learning and afterschool programs. The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (formerly No Child Left Behind) reauthorized 21st CCLC in 2002, and is currently up for reauthorization again. Each state receives funds based on its share of Title I funding for low-income students. Grants support afterschool and summer learning programs that provide the following services to students attending high-poverty, low-performing schools:

  • Academic enrichment activities that can help students meet state and local achievement standards.
  • A broad array of additional services designed to reinforce and complement the regular academic program, such as: drug and violence prevention programs, counseling programs, art, music, and recreation programs, technology education programs, and character education programs.
  • Literacy and related educational development services to the families of children who are served in the program.