Competition for 21st Century Community Learning Centers Underway

Nashville, TN - Education Commissioner Lana Seivers has announced the availability of federal funding under the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program of the No Child Left Behind Act. Approximately $4 million in competitive grants will be available to local education agencies (LEAs), community-based and faith-based organizations, and other public or private organizations. Grant amounts will range from $50,000 to $750,000 per year. The deadline for applications is May 4, 2007.

“These programs provide essential resources to districts to assisting students in meeting state and local standards,” Commissioner Seivers said. “They provide opportunities for scholastic enhancement, youth development and family support during non-school hours, all of which are pertinent to the development of solid scholarship.”

Only ventures that primarily serve students attending high-poverty schools will be eligible to apply for grant funds. A competitive precedence will be given to the projects that intend to serve students attending schools that have been acknowledged for improvement by the Tennessee Department of Education.

21st Century Community Learning Centers afford an expansive array of programs, services, and activities that are created with the intent of bolstering and complementing the habitual academic program of participating students. Such activities/programs may include: arts and music activities, drug and violence prevention, and parent involvement and family literacy activities. Originally funded by direct grants from the U.S. Department of Education, responsibility for the management of this program was transferred to state education agencies under the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.

Technical assistance sessions will be provided to aid potential applicants with the preparation of a high quality proposal. Information about these sessions and a complete application package can be downloaded at http://www.tennessee.gov/education/learningsupport/titleiv/partb/index.shtml

For more information, contact Rachel Woods at (615) 253-1960 or Rachel.Woods@state.tn.us.