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.

NHED will not be running a competition for the 2025/2026 school year.

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

Request for Public Comment

The New Hampshire Department of Education (NHED) seeks public input on the following:

NHED seeks approval from the U.S. Department of Education for a Tydings waiver for the period of FFY 2022 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program funds awarded under Section 4201 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), as amended, until September 30, 2025. This request to extend the obligation period is submitted pursuant under section 421(b) of the General Education Provisions Act (GEPA). This permits NHED in accordance with criteria it develops, to expend the remaining FY 2021 and 2022 awarded balance related to this waiver request.

This will allow the department to continue focusing on supporting out of school time programming for expanded academic enrichment opportunities for children attending high poverty schools. Subgrantees will be given a competitive opportunity to expand upon their summer programming for existing 21st CCLC programs to reinforce and complement regular academic programming through providing activities that significantly, or are likely to, increase improvement of academic outcomes of participating students.

If the amendment seeking an extension of the obligation period is approved, NHED will continue to monitor the use of these federal funds in accordance with state and federal requirements.

Please submit comments or questions to ESEA@doe.nh.gov by December 1, 2024. These comments will be included in the submission to the U.S. Department of Education.

Contact

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