A project of the Afterschool Alliance.

State Evaluation of Afterschool Programs 2019: Nita M. Lowey Iowa 21st Century Community Learning Centers

Year Published: 2020

A statewide evaluation of Iowa’s 21st Century Community Learning Center (21st CCLC) programs found that among students regularly attending a 21st CCLC program and in need of improvement, 72 percent improved in math and 70 percent improved in English. Among regularly attending elementary schoolers identified as not proficient in reading, 25 percent achieved proficiency or higher, and among regularly attending middle and high schoolers not proficient in math, 46 percent achieved proficiency or above. Additionally, teachers reported that 79 percent of regular program participants improved their homework completion and participation in class, and 67 percent improved their behavior. 

Program Name: Iowa 21st Century Community Learning Centers

Program Description:

Iowa’s 21st Century Community Learning Centers program (21st CCLC), which receives federal funding through the 21st CCLC initiative, provides academic enrichment opportunities for children at high-poverty and low-performing schools. In 2019, 24 grantees offered afterschool and summer programming through 93 centers, serving 14,648 students.  

Scope of the Evaluation: Statewide

Program Type: Afterschool

Location: Iowa

Grade level: Elementary School, Middle School, High School

Program Demographics:

In the 2018-19 program year, 63 percent of program participants were eligible for Free or Reduced Price Lunch, 13 percent were identified as having special needs, and 13 percent were identified as limited English proficient. Regarding race and ethnicity, 56 percent identified as White, 19 percent identified as Black or African American, 11 percent of students identified as Hispanic or Latino, 3 percent identified as Asian or Pacific Islander, and 1 percent identified as American Indian or Alaska Native.  

Evaluator: Iowa Department of Education

Evaluation Methods:

This evaluation used two main sources of data: local evaluations, which included federal APR data, and an end-of-year survey. The local evaluations collected information such as demographics, GPRA measures, local objectives, and anecdotal data. The end-of-year survey asked for information on programs, students, and family engagement.  

Evaluation Type: Non-experimental

Summary of Outcomes:

This evaluation of Iowa’s 21st CCLC programs during the 2018-19 school year found that program participants made academic and behavioral gains. Among students regularly attending a 21st CCLC program and in need of improvement, 72 percent showed improvement in math and 70 percent in English, compared to 50 percent and 49 percent nationwide, respectively. Additionally, 25 percent of elementary school regular attendees identified as not proficient reached proficiency by the end of the year, the same rate as students nationwide (25 percent). Among middle and high schoolers, 46 percent of regular attendees identified as not being proficient achieved proficiency or above in math, compared to 19 percent nationwide.

In regards to behavior, 79 percent of regular program participants improved in homework completion and class participation and 67 percent improved their behavior based on teacher reports.

Finally, 21st CCLC programs in Iowa reported providing supports to families, especially those experiencing poverty. Some of the supports provided to families included referrals to agencies offering assistance, financial planning services, setting up a food pantry, and providing school supplies. 

Date Added: October 13, 2021