Community learning centers receive more than $2.7 million for after-school programs
COLUMBIA – Seventeen 21st Century grants totaling more than $2.7 million have been awarded to community learning centers statewide.
The awards, which will be used to establish and expand academic enrichment activities in after-school programs, are funded through federal No Child Left Behind legislation. The programs provide a wide range of academic activities for students, especially those from high-poverty and low-performing schools in both rural and urban communities. The grants also fund literacy and other educational programs for the families of these students.
“These programs provide a valuable service by extending learning that takes place during the school day,” said State Superintendent of Education Inez Tenenbaum. “The activities vary from place to place, but we know that this extra attention should help improve students’ academic performance.”
With these latest awards, 21st Century grants now support 91 programs at 200 sites serving 15,000 students. Grant-funded projects include remedial education, tutoring, mentoring, limited-English proficiency programs, counseling programs, character education programs and leadership skills training.
When the 21st Century grants program began eight years ago, only school districts were eligible for funding. Grants are now available for other public and private organizations, including faith-based organizations. The 2006-07 recipients include eight school districts, four community-based organizations, three faith-based organizations and two daycare centers. They will serve students from 29 schools in 14 school districts.
21st Century Grant Recipients for 2006-07
Applicant Name District to be Served Funding Amount
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Pee Dee Area Florence School District Two $162,167.00
The Sunshine House Aiken County Schools $185,553.00
Edisto Fork United Methodist Church Orangeburg School District Four $187,915.00
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Pee Dee Area Florence School District Four $150,000.00
Allendale County School District Allendale County School District $195,675.00
Lexington School District Three Lexington School District Three $92,250.00
Communities in Schools of Greenville Greenville County School District $125,000.00
Charleston County School District Charleston County School District $199,960.00
Open Arms Fellowship Baptist Church Hampton School District One $187,710.00
Richland School District Two Richland School District Two $200,000.00
Hampton School District One Hampton School District One $172,850.00
The Sunshine House Aiken County Schools $170,303.00
York School District One York School District One $169,955.00
Williamsburg County School District Williamsburg County School District $161,602.00
Have Faith Community Development Clarendon School District Two $99,829.00
Lee County School District Lee County School District $200,000.00
Wings for Kids Charleston County School District $79,283.00
Grants administrator Sabrina Moore said a one-day training session for staff members from any after-school program – not just 21st Century Community Learning Centers – will be held Monday, August 14 in Columbia. The workshop will provide information on how to create exciting learning environments, prepare students for PACT testing, and integrate physical fitness into after-school programs. The workshops are free, but participants must register on-line at www.ed.sc.gov by Friday, July 21. For more information, call Moore at 803-734-5804.