Extended Learning and Afterschool Programs

The Tennessee Department of Education is requesting applications for the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant (21st CCLC). The 21st CCLC grant is awarded for five years based on a competitive application process. The application must be completed online through the department’s grants management system, ePlan, by April 1, 2024, 11:59 p.m. CT; paper applications will not be accepted. The application will open in ePlan on or around Feb. 1; please see the FY25 21st CCLC Request for Applications for more information. 

The overarching goal of the 21st CCLC program is to provide students—particularly students who attend schools in need of improvement—with academic enrichment opportunities and support services to help them meet state and local standards in the core content areas.  

Local educational agencies (LEAs), community-based and faith-based organizations, and other public or private organizations proposing to serve students in Tennessee are eligible to apply for funding.  

Questions about the application process should be sent to Extended.Learning@tn.gov.

Eligible Applicants

In addition to school districts, community-based organizations, faith-based groups and other public or private organizations can apply for funding for afterschool programs through the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers.

These organizations must collaborate with the school(s) of the students to be served.

Eligible Participants

• Grants will be awarded to programs that will primarily serve students who attend schools with a high concentration of low-income students.
• Competitive priority will be given to proposals to serve students attending schools that have been identified for improvement.
• Services may be provided for adult family members of participating students only.

Grant Awards

Public and not-for-profit organizations that provide, or propose to provide, afterschool educational programs within Tennessee may apply for these funds.

Organizations that have not previously received grants from— or provided contractual services on behalf of— the State of Tennessee will be required to verify their ability to administer grant programs before being considered for funding.

Project Focus

Projects must provide academic enrichment activities designed to help students meet state and local standards and must be based on rigorous scientific research.

Location

Programs must be established in elementary or secondary schools or in any other location that is at least as available and accessible as the school.

Programs must establish a plan for safely transporting students to and from the center and home.

Approved Activities

21st CCLC grants provide a broad array of services, programs, and activities that are designed to reinforce and complement the regular academic program of participating students. Such activities/programs may include1:

·       Academic enrichment

·       Well-rounded education activities, including credit recovery or attainment

·       Literacy education

·       Healthy and active lifestyle

·       Services for individuals with disabilities

·       Activities for English learners

·       Cultural programs

·       Telecommunications and technology education

·       Expanded library service hours

·       Parenting skills and family literacy

·       Assistance to students who have been truant, suspended, or expelled

·       Drug and violence prevention and counseling

·       Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), including computer science

·       Career competencies and career readiness

In addition, community learning centers may offer opportunities for literacy and related educational development to family members of participating students including school readiness activities for younger siblings of students being served.

1 U.S. Department of Education, 21APR New GPRA Iterative Implementation Guide v.1.4.  

Program Performance

All funded 21st CCLC sites will be expected to participate in a rigorous evaluation process that includes the collection of attendance, academic achievement and disciplinary information on students served. In addition, all sites will be expected to submit the Annual Performance Report for Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers developed by the U.S. Department of Education.

The overall goal of Lottery for Education: Afterschool Programs (LEAPs) is to provide Tennessee students with academic enrichment opportunities that reinforce and complement the regular academic program.

In November 2002, Tennesseans voted to create a state lottery. The General Assembly established that profits from the lottery go toward specific educational programs: college scholarships, early childhood programs and afterschool programs.

As provided under TCA 49-6-702, 100 percent of monies constituting an unclaimed prize shall be deposited into an afterschool account for the purpose of administering a system of competitive grants and technical assistance for eligible organizations providing afterschool educational programs within Tennessee.

Eligible Applicants

Public and Not-for-Profit Organizations that provide, or propose to provide, afterschool educational programs within Tennessee may apply for these funds.

Organizations that have not previously received grants from – or provided contractual services on behalf of – the State of Tennessee will be required to verify their ability to administer grant programs before being considered for funding.

Eligible Participants

• Youth 5-18 years old and enrolled in elementary or secondary school;
• 50 percent of students enrolled must also meet one of the following criteria:
  • qualify for free/reduced lunch;
  • be at risk of educational disadvantage and failure due to circumstances of abuse, neglect or disability;
  • be at risk of state custody due to family dysfunction;
  • be enrolled in and attending a public school failing to make adequate yearly progress (AYP);
  • be attending a public school, including a public charter school, instead of a public school failing to make AYP as a result of parent choice; or
  • be at risk of failing one or more subjects or are behind grade level by at least one year

However, preference shall be given to programs that maintain an enrollment of children of which at least 80 percent of the students enrolled meet one of the criteria above.

Program Priorities

Programs established must be designed to reinforce and complement the regular academic program of participating students.  All activities must be educationally based.  Such programs must include:

• Services to students on an average of 15 hrs. per week;
• Reading skills development and enhancement;
• Math or science skills development and enhancement;
• Computer literacy and skills development;
• Academic mentoring or tutorial assistance; and
• Sports or leisure opportunities.