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Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers

The Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program is a federal program funded under Title IV, Part B of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).

This federal funding stream focuses on out of school time programming for expanded academic enrichment opportunities for children attending high poverty schools. Tutorial services and academic enrichment activities are designed to help students meet local and state academic standards in subjects such as reading and math. In addition, programs may provide youth development activities, drug and violence prevention programs, technology education programs, art, music and recreation, counseling, and character education to enhance the academic component of the program. 

Program Purpose

The goal of the 21st CCLC program is to raise student academic achievement through the creation and expansion of community learning centers that provide students with academic enrichment opportunities as well as additional activities designed to complement their regular academic program. Families of 21st CCLC youth participants also have access to educational development opportunities through the program. Centers can be located in elementary, middle or secondary schools or similarly accessible facilities. They provide a range of high quality services to support student learning and development, including tutoring and mentoring, homework help, academic enrichment (e.g., hands-on science or technology programs), and community service opportunities, as well as music, arts, sports and cultural activities.

Authorized under Title IV B, of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), the specific purposes of the law are to:

  • Provide opportunities for academic enrichment, including tutorial services to help students, particularly those who attend low-performing schools, meet state and local student performance standards in core academic subjects like reading and mathematics.
  • Offer students a broad array of additional services, programs, and activities designed to reinforce and complement the regular academic program of participating students.
  • Offer families of students served by community learning centers, opportunities for literacy education and related educational development.

Communities Served

  • 23 Grants
  • 59 Sites
  • 18 School Districts and Communities

21st CCLC Program Contact Information

Allocations

21st CCLC Grant

The 21st Century Community Learning Center (21st CCLC) grant funds are intended to assist local education agencies (LEAs), community organizations (CBOs), and faith-based organizations (FBOs) in providing before school, after school, and summer programming to youth in high poverty communities through the creation of 21st Century Community Learning Center programs.

Annual Program Risk Assessment

Federal regulations require State monitoring of school local education agencies (LEAs) and community-based organizations (CBOs) accepting Federal funds. The New Hampshire Department of Education (NHDOE) monitors work in partnership with LEAs and CBOs to provide technical assistance that ensures compliance with program requirements and helps LEAs and CBOs reach their performance goals. As a pass-through entity, it is the NHDOE’s, responsibility in Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 200.331, which requires the NHDOE to “evaluate each subrecipient’s risk of noncompliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the subaward for purposes of determining the appropriate subrecipient monitoring.”

To comply with this requirement, the NHDOE's 21st Century Community Learning Centers program (21st CCLC) conducts an annual risk assessment of all subrecipients, including LEAs and CBOs to determine their potential risk of noncompliance. The risk assessment criteria include indicators and weights derived from multiple sources. Each subrecipient is allotted points based upon these criteria, and assigned a risk level of high, medium, or low based on the total number of points allotted.

    External Organization Profile

    In accordance with Title IV, Part B, 21stCCLC of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), the New Hampshire State Department of Education (NHED) is required to provide a list of prescreened external organizations, as described under section 4203(a)(11). By collecting, screening, and publishing a list of external non-profit organizations that have expressed interest, the potential for partnerships with current and future 21st CCLC programs is more easily realized.

    NH 21st CCLC External Organization Profile Form

    21st CCLC Prescreened List of External Organizations

    Grantee Resources and Guidance

    Contact

    Whitney McVeigh, Education Consultant
    Whitney.R.McVeigh@doe.nh.gov

    Jonathan Lacy, Program Specialist
    Jonathan.T.Lacy@doe.nh.gov