Extended Learning and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) offers tremendous opportunities for the education sector, including afterschool and extended learning programs. Much of the ARRA funding for afterschool programs will come through existing funding streams, such as the Department of Education, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Labor, and AmeriCorps. Some ARRA funding offers new, one-time only cash infusions that may also benefit afterschool programs.

The SEDL National Center for Quality Afterschool is a resource that can help afterschool and extended learning leaders navigate the funds that are available and use them in a way that meets federal guidelines. Included here is an outline of some of the different ARRA funds that are available for afterschool and extended learning programs and how the funds can be used. Visit our extended ARRA page to learn more.

Department of Education

• Title I, Part A
• Title I, School Improvement Grants
• Parts B and C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
• State Fiscal Stabilization Fund (SFSF)

Other Sources of Funding

• Child Care and Development Block Grants (CCDBG)
• AmeriCorps
  

The Department of Labor: Workforce Investment Act

• Read more
  
  

“In a global economy where the most valuable skill you can sell is your knowledge, a good education is no longer just a pathway to opportunity—it is a pre-requisite. The countries that out-teach us today will out-compete us tomorrow.”

President Barack Obama
February 24, 2009

The SEDL National Center for Quality Afterschool helps state education agencies and local practitioners develop high-quality programs for academic enrichment as well as youth development activities.

www.sedl.org/afterschool

Spending ARRA Funds

In all of these funding opportunities, state and local governments, school districts, and nonprofits must remember the four overriding principles of ARRA:

1. Spend funds quickly to save and create jobs. For example, on March 7, 2009, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced that he wanted his department to distribute $44 million within 30 to 45 days. The first round of funding is intended to eliminate teacher layoffs due to state budget shortfalls.
2. Improve student achievement through school improvement and reform. This principle creates a mandate to improve the education system and to demonstrate how particular programs will lead to improved achievement.
3. Ensure transparency, reporting, and accountability. In order for many programs to receive a second round of ARRA funding after the initial infusions, they will have to provide receipts, and track and measure results.
4. Invest one-time ARRA funds thoughtfully to minimize the “funding cliff.” ARRA funds should not be used for projects that cannot be sustained after the ARRA funds are spent.

virtual Academy for afterschool
This interactive professional development resource includes five online courses for professionals in a variety of expanded learning settings. Each course includes links to help align afterschool to day-school learning, effective instructional strategies, guided practice in project planning, and evidence-based instruction models that keep students engaged. Choice of 1-, 2-, 3-year subscriptions. View more information including a demo at www.sedl.org/afterschool/academy.

On-Site Professional Development
The National Center for Quality Afterschool offers high-quality, fee-for-service professional development designed for expanded learning project directors, site coordinators, instructors, and staff from community organizations. Choose from professional development sessions ranging from 90 minutes to 2-days in length, or let us customize a staff development experience especially for your program.