About 21st CCLC
The 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) program is authorized under Title IV, Part B of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as amended by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. The 21st CCLC program provides federal funding for the establishment of community learning centers that provide academic, artistic and cultural enrichment opportunities for children, particularly students who attend high-poverty and low-performing schools, in order to meet state and local standards in core academic subjects such as reading, math and science. This program is also intended to offer students a broad array of activities and to include families and the community in the educational process.
The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 recognizes that improved student
achievement occurs when communities implement programs that are
scientifically proven to be effective. The 21 CCLC program is committed
to ensuring that students have access to high quality and engaging
enrichment activities that truly support their learning and development.
The 21 CCLC initiative further stresses the importance of diverse
groups and organizations working together to strengthen school and
community networks to help students and families succeed. Extended
learning opportunities are a critical part of the continuum of learning
that promote student achievement and school improvement.
- To assist youth in meeting state standards for core academic subjects by providing students with academic enrichment opportunities before school, after school and/or during holidays or summer recess.
- To offer participants a broad array of other services and programs, such as art, music, recreation activities, character education, career and technical training, drug and violence prevention programming, and technology education.
- To provide educational services for families of participating students, such as literacy instruction, computer training and/or cultural enrichment.
- To ensure that both youth and their families have decision-making roles in the creation, operation and evaluation of every 21st CCLC in Pennsylvania.
- To mobilize school, community and private sector social and health services support and resources in order to remove barriers that impede students’ learning.