ESEA TITLE IV, PART B: 21st Century Community Learning Centers

Funding

$1.2B, allocated by formula

Eligibility

LEAs, community-based organizations, Indian tribes or tribal organizations, other public or private entities, or a consortium of 2 or more entities

Sample Use of Funds

SEAs and LEAs have flexibility to carry out a wide variety of activities consistent with their specific needs. Activities could include:

• Academic enrichment learning programs that are aligned with the challenging State academic standards and any local academic standards; and local curricula that are designed to improve student academic achievement 
• After school programs and activities that advance student academic achievement and support student success; before school programs and activities that advance student academic achievement and support student success
• Programs that partner with in-demand fields of the local workforce or build career competencies and career readiness and ensure that local workforce and career readiness skills are aligned with the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act
• Programs that build skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), including computer science, and that foster innovation in learning by supporting nontraditional STEM education teaching methods
• Ensuring that any eligible entity that receives an award from the State aligns the activities provided by the program with the challenging State academic standards, and that eligible entities identify and partner with external organizations, if available, in the community (external organizations: a nonprofit organization with a record of success in running or working with before and after school (or summer recess) programs and activities; or in the case of a community where there is no such organization, a nonprofit organization in the community that enters into a written agreement or partnership with an organization described initially to receive mentoring and guidance in running or working with before and after school (or summer recess) programs and activities); and providing a list of pre-screened external organizations.

This grant has an extensive list of uses of funds. View the complete ESSA Federal Funding Guide below for the full list.

Key Provision: Use of funds

Program funds may be used to provide activities that complement and reinforce the regular school-day program of participating students and may also fund local activities that are included as part of an expanded learning time program that provides students at least 300 additional program hours before, during, or after the traditional school day. Funds may be used for a broad range of activities.

For more information, contact Tom Zembar at 202.822.7109 or [email protected]

Next Steps

You have a right to know if your state or district applied for the funds and influence how they are spent. Most grants have already been disbursed to your state and district, but others may require an application.

Once you find a grant, make sure it’s appropriate for your intended use. Then, contact your local NEA Affiliate to organize an effort to hold your district and state accountable for how the money is used.