NDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - Fifty-three organizations serving 184 afterschool sites will receive 21st Century Community Learning Center grants designed to provide academic enrichment opportunities for students. Grant awards range from $50,000 to $300,000. The total award for this year is approximately $11.1 million.
"I look forward to working with these community organizations over the coming years as we continue to increase student performance throughout Indiana," said Superintendent Ritz. "These groups work throughout the state to support student learning and development in communities affected by poverty. I am honored to award these organizations which are working every day to strengthen our communities."
21st Century Community Learning Centers provide a range of high-quality services to support student learning and development, including academic enrichment, tutoring and mentoring, and homework help, as well as music, arts, sports and cultural activities. They also offer literacy and other educational services to the families of participating children.
The 21st Century Community Learning Centers program is an afterschool initiative 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 funded programs are intended specifically to assist students who attend high-poverty and low-performing schools.
A total of 78 school corporations, nonprofits and community organizations applied for grants. Projects can be funded for a period of three (3) to five (5) years. This year's awards will be funded for four (4) years and five (5) months based upon annual reviews and successful implementation. This year's grant recipients join 24 grant recipients already serving 69 sites across Indiana.