Topeka Public Schools Teaching and Learning

21st Century Learning Centers (Title IV-B)

A community learning center offers academic and youth development opportunities to students and their families when school is not in session; before school, after school, holidays, summer recess, or other out-of-school times.

Purpose

The purpose of this program is to establish community learning centers that provide students with academic enrichment opportunities along with activities designed to complement students’ regular classroom academic programs during out-of-school hours.

Authorized under Title IV, Part B, of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), most recently amended by Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015, the law’s specific purposes are to:

• Provide opportunities for academic enrichment, including tutorial services to help students, particularly students in high-poverty areas and those who attend low-performing schools, to meet State and local student performance standards in core academic subjects such as reading and math.
• Offer students a broad array of additional services, programs, and activities, such as:
  • youth development,
  • service learning,
  • nutrition and health education,
  • drug and violence prevention,
  • counseling,
  • art and music,
  • physical fitness and wellness programs,
  • technology education,
  • financial literacy,
  • environmental literacy,
  • math, science, career and technical education programs,
  • internships or apprenticeships,
  • programs for in-demand industry areas,
  • character education.
  • Offer families of students served by community learning centers opportunities for active, meaningful engagement in their children’s education through literacy and related educational development.

Title IV B Fast Facts

• Funder: Federal dollars passed through the State
• Purpose: Community learning centers that provide academic and enrichment opportunities for children outside of the regular school day. The grant primarily serves students who attend schools eligible for Title I Schoolwide programs. Title I Schoolwide designation typically means that at least 40% of the students qualify to receive free or reduced-cost meals.
• Award Amount: Up to $75,000 annually
• Time Period: 1-5 years
• Number of students served: 910 
• Schools Served: Robinson Middle School, Chase Middle School, and Quincy Elementary
• Program Manager: Billie Zabokrtsky-Wallace, Assistant Superintendent