SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Board of Education has released the fiscal year 2019 request for proposals (RFP) for 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) grants. Approximately $12 million in federal funds is available for academically focused afterschool programs to serve students in schools with a high concentration of low-income students.
“The 21st Century Community Learning Centers support the whole child," said State Superintendent of Education Tony Smith, Ph.D. “These enrichment activities help students engage in their learning in new and different ways. Students having a safe place to explore and learn outside of school hours also provides a tremendous benefit to families and communities."
Existing 21st CCLC programs provide students with art; music; character building; physical education; and supplementary math, English, and science activities outside of regular school hours. The 21st CCLC programs also connect students' families with literacy and computer training and other educational services.
Teachers report improved behavior, motivation to learn, and academic performance among students who participate in 21st CCLC programs. Among participating elementary school students, 63 percent improved in behavior and motivation to learn, 30.7 percent improved in reading ability, and 26.2 percent improved in mathematics ability, according to teachers surveyed for the 21st CCLC Annual Performance Report for the 2013 cohort of grants. Among middle and high school students, 55 percent improved in behavior, 53 percent improved in motivation to learn, 29.7 percent improved in reading, and 27.1 improved in mathematics.
Proposals that have the following components will receive Competitive Priority points:
- Programs that serve the state's lowest-performing schools (identified as Priority) and are submitted as a joint application between at least one Local Education Agency (LEA) receiving funds under Title I, Part A and at least one public or private community organization;
- Programs that serve eligible middle schools or high schools and are submitted as a joint application between at least one LEA receiving funds under Title I, Part A and at least one public or private community organization (“eligible schools" as indicated in the “Population to be Served" section of the RFP); and
- Propose to serve students who attend 40 percent or higher low-income rural schools and at least one public or private community organization.
Interested parties may access the RFP and find additional information at https://www.isbe.net/Pages/21st-Century-Community-Learning-Centers.aspx. Proposals are due by 4 p.m. on Feb. 15, 2018.