Program Office: Academic Improvement and Teacher Quality Programs
CFDA Number: 84.287
Program Type: Formula Grants

The 21st CCLC Program is a key component of President Bush's No Child Left Behind Act. It is an opportunity for students and their families to continue to learn new skills and discover new abilities after the school day has ended. Congress has appropriated $993.5 million for afterschool programs in Fiscal Year (FY) 2003.

The focus of this program, re-authorized under Title IV, Part B, of the No Child Left Behind Act, is to provide expanded academic enrichment opportunities for children attending low performing 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 21st CCLC programs provide youth development activities, drug and violence prevention programs, technology education programs, art, music and recreation programs, counseling and character education to enhance the academic component of the program.

About 6,800 rural and inner-city public schools in 1,420 communities--in collaboration with other public and non-profit agencies, organizations, local businesses, post-secondary institutions, scientific/cultural and other community entities--are now participating as 21st Century CLCs.