What is the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant?

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The Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) initiative provides the only federally funded source dedicated exclusively to out-of-school-time programs.

Purpose

The Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) initiative provides the only federally funded source dedicated exclusively to out-of-school-time programs.

Arizona’s Title IV-B (21st CCLC) program supports student participants in meeting the State’s rigorous academic standards. Funded programs are designed to align with State and school goals and specifically assist targeted students in their school day learning objectives.

In Arizona, 21st CCLC programs build and sustain comprehensive out-of-school-time programs that provide high-quality academic enrichment opportunities for students attending high-poverty, low-performing schools. These programs meaningfully engage adult family members in helping their children succeed academically.

Focus

21st CCLC programs throughout the state maintain a strong commitment to improving math, reading/language arts/literacy, and science. Complementing this primary focus, 21st CCLC programs in the State supplement the students’ regular academic school day by creating a rich variety of classes and activities outside of the instructional day that help students become proficient and connect with learning. Programs offer project-based, hands on enrichment that builds college and career competencies and readineses. This enrichment includes offerings in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math), environmental literacy programs, art, music, physical education, SEL (Social Emotional Learning), mentoring, technology education including coding, and nutrition & health education.

Learning Environment

All of the State’s awarded programs must provide for a safe and healthy learning environment by ensuring that the following components are incorporated in their applications and program implementation:

Healthy food. Provide child nutrition programs including after school snack and summer meals. Most of Arizona 21st CCLC programs also offer free breakfast as part of their program and evening meals are increasingly being offered as well.
Safe transportation from school or an alternative program site if that is part of the program.
Students are served in an easily accessible environment.

What are the general 21st CCLC requirements?

The out of school time 21st CCLC program must complement and supports the regular academic school day.
Programs are implemented according to the original awarded grant proposal.
The 21st CCCLC program staff work in close collaboration with regular school day staff to meet the needs of the students in the program.
Community partners are involved in providing additional resources to support students, which can ensure long-term commitments of resources for sustainability.
Program activities are based on scientifically-based practices that provide evidence that the program activity will help students meet achievement standards.
All academic enrichment activities are to be aligned to Arizona State Standards, using cross-curricular connections to meet multiple performance objectives.
Services to the family members of participating students are provided to support of students’ academic success.

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Who is served by the 21^st CCLC Grant?

Students who attend schools where at least 40% of the students qualify for free or reduced lunches.

Family members of participating students are offered educational opportunities as an essential element of the grant.

Which Arizona schools’ students are currently participating in the 21st CCLC program?

21st CCLC Grant Program Awards in Arizona (FY2022).pdf

Map of 21st CCLC Sites per County

For more information about the 21^st Century Community Learning Centers Grant, go to www.azed.gov/21stcclc/

Arizona’s 21st CCLC Vision Team members serve as an advisory group for the Nita M Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) Title IV-B grant program in Arizona. Vision Team members are 21st CCLC program leaders and leaders from related fields from all corners of the great state of Arizona.

Vision Team members provide guidance to the Arizona Department of Education and help ensure that the focus of the 21st CCLC program in Arizona is in alignment with current needs in the field.

Arizona 21st CCLC Vision Team Members.pdf