Legislative Update from the Administration

On Saturday, March 13, 2010, the Obama Administration released its "Blueprint" for revising ESEA "to help states raise expectations of students and reward schools for producing dramatic gains in student achievement." Key elements of the proposal include:

  • Consolidating afterschool along with a longer school day and community schools under 21st CCLC.
  • Changing from state competitions in all 50 states with funding amounts for each state determined by formula to two national competitions run by the Department: one competition for State Education Agencies (SEAs), the other for Local Education Agencies (LEAs).
  • Under the Department's Blueprint proposal for a national LEA competition, community based organizations (CBOs) could not apply for 21st CCLC funds nor act as the lead partner. Instead priority would be given to LEAs that apply in partnership with CBOs. Additional details of the partnership requirement have not been shared.

Many questions remain including whether CBOs would be able to apply directly for funds at the state level from SEAs that win the national competition among states; the amount in dollars of grant awards to be made available to states versus districts; the status of current grants - will these continue their remaining years or transfer to the new structure; and the portion of funds to be awarded to extended day versus afterschool versus community schools.

Additional proposals within the ESEA Blueprint also impact afterschool program. The Administration has proposed consolidating the Physical Activity Program (PEP) grants into a new Safe, Successful and Healthy Students program. The consolidation raises the question as to whether the same amount of PEP funding will be remain available to school districts and community based organization to promote physical activity.

Several of the school turnaround models under the School Improvement Grant section of the Title I portion of the Act allow extended learning time as part of the allowable uses of funds.

Released in winter 2012, the Presidents FY2013 Budget Request included policy proposals for 21st CCLC that are very similar to those in the ESEA Blueprint referenced above. Read more here.

In fall 2011, the Department of Education annouced a waiver plan to allow states greater flexibility from No Child Left Behind requirements. The waiver process included an optional 11th waiver that would allow states to divert 21st CCLC funds towards a longer school day, with few requirements on how the time would be spent. More here. Following up, the Department released a third addendum in February 2012 clarifying the optional 11th waiver and limiting additional uses for 21st CCLC funding.