House Education Committee passes ESEA reauthorization, Rep. Barletta speaks out on value of 21st CCLC

The House Education and the Workforce Committee under Chairman John Kline (R-MN) passed the Student Success Act (H.R. 5) on February 11th, continuing the Elementary and Secondary Education Act reauthorization process. The legislation consolidates more than 65 programs, including the 21^st Century Community Learning Centers initiative (21^st CCLC), the principal federal funding stream for afterschool, into a single grant program.

As pointed out by the Afterschool Alliance in a statement released earlier this week, such consolidation could be devastating for the 1.6 million young people served by 21^st CCLC afterschool and summer learning programs across the nation. In fact, it is possible that the new grant structure would provide no resources whatsoever for students outside the school day. As a result, many children would be unsupervised, missing valuable learning opportunities that could help them succeed in school and in life, and without a host of other supports, including nutritious meals and opportunities for physical activity, STEM learning and access to mentors. 

In many respects, the bill the passed the Committee today mirrors the draft ESEA reauthorization bill put forward by Senate HELP Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander last month that would also replace 21^st CCLC with a block grant to school districts for use in supporting students during school and out of school. 

Congressman Lou Barletta (R-PA) spoke passionately during the Committee mark-up about the valuable role of afterschool and summer learning programs funded through 21^st CCLCs:

21^st Century Community Learning Centers are currently the only federal funding source to be dedicated exclusively to afterschool, before school and summer learning programs.

As we know, student success is not only measured by student achievement but by student engagement. Students participating in 21^st CCLC have shown improvements in homework completion, class participation and attendance.  This all leads to better grades, better behavior and lower incidences of drug use and violence.

Afterschool programs offer a safe environment for kids to further their academic learning rather than seeking out and joining gangs. In my District, the nationally recognized SHINE Afterschool Program offers afterschool and summer learning programs for kids from pre-K up through college. High school students mentor younger students, and STEM and the arts are incorporated into programming for all kids. The Schools and Home SHINE program uses a successful public private partnership model where local school districts partner with a nearby college or university.

I hope the Committee will consider the importance of afterschool programs to our nation’s kids and families, and will continue to work with me to see that American students succeed not only in academic achievement but in student engagement as well.

Following those remarks by Rep. Barletta, Education Committee Chairman Kline stated that “moving forward the Committee will be sure that communities will be able to continue to support successful afterschool programs in our nation’s schools and neighborhoods.”

As a result of Rep. Barletta’s efforts working with the Committee to ensure HR 5 is able to support afterschool programs, the legislation was modified from the originally released draft to allows states to use funds under the Local Academic Flexible Grant to award grants to eligible entities to develop and implement blended learning projects; clarify that funds can be used to support projects to increase student engagement; and clarify the eligibility of institutions of higher education under the grant. These changes are all a step in the right direction however unfortunately they do not go far enough in protecting federal 21^st CCLC funding that currently leverages community support for the more than 1.6 million students who are provided quality afterschool and summer learning programs.

With HR 5 now headed to the floor of the House of Representatives for consideration and the Senate Education Committee likely to hold their mark-up in the coming weeks, it is important that members of Congress see a strong showing of support from afterschool advocates across the country.  Your Representatives and Senators want to hear from you!  Take action now by urging your elected officials to consider the value of dedicated funding for afterschool and summer learning programs through 21st CCLC.  Share personal examples or experiences that illustrate the importance of these out-of-school programs for enhancing learning, keeping young people safe and helping working families.