Expanded Learning

These after school programs promote youth assets such as character, resiliency, and wellness to promote student success for college and career readiness. The regional lead team provides technical assistance to support ASES and 21st CCLC high-quality Expanded Learning programs that support meaningful learning to reflect the Learning in After School & Summer (LIAS) principles: learning that is active, meaningful, collaborative, and that supports mastery and expands horizons.

The After School Education and Safety (ASES) Program is the result of the 2002 voter approved initiative, Proposition 49. This proposition amended California Education Code 8482 to expand and rename the former Before and After School Learning and Safe Neighborhood Partnerships Program. ASES Program funds the establishment of local after school education and enrichment programs in grades K-9. These programs are created through partnerships between schools and local community resources to provide literacy, academic enrichment and safe constructive alternatives for students in kindergarten through ninth grade. The increased funding is designed to: 1) maintain existing before and after school program funding, and 2) provide eligibility to qualifying elementary and middle schools that submit quality applications throughout California. The current funding level for the ASES program is $550 million statewide.

Learning Centers (21st CCLC) Program was previously, beginning in 1997, administered by the U.S. Department of Education. The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB, 2002) transferred the program administration in California to the CDE. The program offers five, one-year grant funding to local community partnerships to provide activities in the after school hours focusing on improved academic achievement by integrating support of each student's regular day schedule, enrichment services that reinforce and complement the academic program of the school the students attend, and family literacy services.

Entities eligible to apply for funding include local educational agencies cities, counties, community-based organizations and other public or private entities that may include faith-based organizations or a consortium of two or more such agencies, organizations, or entities.

Consistent with federal statute, awards are restricted to only those applicants that proposed to serve students who attend schools eligible for Title I Schoolwide Programs. Competitive priority is given to schools that included a partnership between a local education agency receiving Title I funds and another public or private entity. 21st CCLC funding is intended to serve grades K-8 and the 21st CCLC ASSETS serves grades 9-12.