Krista Zaharias, NGA, 202-624-5367
Kara Schlosser, CCSSO, 202-336-7034
Michelle Blackston, NCSL, 202-624-8667
DENVER – Teams of education leaders in Maine, Minnesota, New York, Oregon and Wisconsin each received $50,000 competitive grants to improve afterschool and summer learning opportunities for students through the joint Supporting Student Success: The Promise of Expanded Learning Opportunities initiative. In addition to the funding, grant recipients will receive in-depth consulting services from the three organizations involved in the initiative: the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO), the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), and the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center).
The grants will support each state’s plan to develop, adopt and implement state policies that better integrate expanded learning opportunities—such as afterschool, summer learning and extended day and year programs—into state education systems. High quality expanded learning opportunities have been linked to improved graduation rates and increased student success, the executive directors of the initiative organizations point out.
“Governors are committed to providing their students with every educational opportunity — both inside and outside the classroom,” said NGA executive director Raymond C. Scheppach. “To compete in this global economy, we must ensure that all children have enriching and rigorous educational opportunities beyond the school doors.”
“State legislatures have been working hard to improve graduation rates and increase student achievement. Promoting high-quality expanded learning opportunities is a tool in helping them accomplish these gains,” said NCSL executive director William T. Pound. “State legislatures are the laboratories of democracy and we look forward to seeing the different time and learning innovations these states develop and share with one another.”
“Chief State school officers understand that students need a range of opportunities and supports to help them meet challenging academic standards, successfully transition to post-secondary education and the workplace, and develop to their fullest potential,” states CCSSO executive director Gene Wilhoit. “We believe that a full range of high-quality extended learning opportunities is essential for an effective, world-class system of education.”
State activities supported by the grant will differ, but each state’s proposed plan expands time for students to learn beyond the traditional school day:
- Maine will advance school-linked expanded learning opportunities (ELOs) as a means to provide standards-based academic support and motivate at-risk youth to graduate high school, access postsecondary education and become lifelong learners. The University of Maine at Farmington is the grant recipient.
- Minnesota will highlight the importance of ELOs as a key support for student success, improve coordination between schools and afterschool and summer programs and strengthen ELO quality and accountability. The Minnesota 4-H Foundation is the grant recipient.
- New York will develop state ELO policies that heighten student engagement, boost student achievement and improve high school graduation rates. The After-School Corporation is the grant recipient.
- Oregon will establish a statewide ELO data system and strengthen the ability of ELOs to support student health and wellness. The Willamette Education Service District is the grant recipient.
- Wisconsin will establish a cross-agency funding and governance structure for ELOs, while improving the effectiveness of ELOs through programs standards and quality incentives. The grant recipient is the Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation.
The Supporting Student Success initiative is made possible with support from the C.S. Mott Foundation. CCSSO, NCSL and the NGA Center will provide technical assistance to state leadership teams throughout the period of June 2009 – December 2010. The leadership teams will include state legislators, state education officials, governors' policy advisors and other key stakeholders. NCSL is the granting organization.
All states with C.S. Mott funded statewide afterschool networks were invited to apply to participate in the initiative. An independent selection committee of state policy and afterschool experts reviewed applications and made award recommendations. The selected states brought together high-level leadership teams and developed well-thought out plans to squarely address significant state educational needs through expanded learning opportunities.
NCSL, the granting organization, is a bipartisan organization that serves the legislators and staffs of the states, commonwealths and territories. It provides research, technical assistance and opportunities for policymakers to exchange ideas on the most pressing state issues and is an effective and respected advocate for the interests of the states in the American federal system.
Founded in 1908, the National Governors Association (NGA) is the collective voice of the nation’s governors and one of Washington, D.C.’s most respected public policy organizations. Its members are the governors of the 50 states, three territories and two commonwealths. NGA provides governors and their senior staff members with services that range from representing states on Capitol Hill and before the Administration on key federal issues to developing and implementing innovative solutions to public policy challenges through the NGA Center for Best Practices. For more information, visit www.nga.org.
CCSSO is a nonpartisan, nationwide, nonprofit organization of public officials who head departments of elementary and secondary education in the states, the District of Columbia, the Department of Defense Education Activity, and five U.S. extra-state jurisdictions. CCSSO provides leadership, advocacy, and technical assistance on major educational issues. The Council seeks member consensus on major educational issues and expresses their views to civic and professional organizations, federal agencies, Congress and the public.
