Partnership for Children and Youth Responds to U.S. Senate Appropriations Action on 21st CCLC Program

Recently, the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee passed a $100 million proposed increase for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program which funds before- and after-school, and summer learning programs in low-income communities.  With this proposed increase, the Committee also included language that would allow 21st CCLC funds to be used for an extended school day, a move that has been very controversial in the after-school community.  There is concern that the current Appropriations bill language leaves open the possibility that funds could be used for simply lengthening the school day without integrating critical community partners, and that federal and/or state regulations could favor this model over existing high quality after-school programs.

Partnership for Children and Youth, along with many other organizations, have stated publicly in a sign-on letter to House Education Committee Chairman George Miller that we support extended/expanded school-day and year models if the following conditions are met:

• Strong community partnerships are required;
• Community organizations continue to have the right to be the lead agency and manage programs; and
• The choice about which model to select is entirely a local decision.

We believe the same policy provisions should be in place should the Congress move forward with an Appropriations bill that allows expanded day models in the 21st CCLC program.

Therefore, we and our partner intermediaries from the Collaborative for Building After School Systems (CBASS) have developed a new sign-on letter directed to Senate and House Appropriations Members requesting they amend the current Appropriations bill language to:

• Better ensure local choice;
• Ensure expanded-day models build on the best of after school knowledge and practice; and
• Ensure that high quality after school is preserved.

Please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Executive Director, Partnership for Children and Youth, if you would like to add your organization to the letter or if you have questions.