Reform the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program

The 21st Century Community Learning Centers program is a voluntary out-of-school time program (before and after-school time, weekends, and summer) for needy students. There is a movement, supported by the Obama administration, to expand formal learning time and enrichment activities by lengthening the school day and/or year, which research suggests can produce far greater benefits in student achievement. This program should be redesigned to bring it in line with this vision for expanded formal learning time as is proposed by the Obama administration in its recent blue print for reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and the proposed fiscal year 2011 budget.

For more on this topic please see:

• Education Transformation: Doing What Works in Education Reform by Glenda L. Partee