21st Century Community Learning Centers

The 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) of Vermont are an integral component of the before school, after school, and summer learning programs in our state.

The 21st CCLC is a U.S. Department of Education program, administered through the Vermont Agency of Education, that provides grants for high-quality, expanded learning opportunities outside of regular school hours for children in a safe and secure educational environment. The federal statute governing 21st CCLC programs is part of the 2015 re-authorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (formerly the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001). The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) maintained and strengthened the language and requirements of the Title IV, Part B legislation. Thus, preserving support for much needed out-of-school time programing.

For a list of current state grantees, click here. Vermont’s 21st CCLC programs primarily serve students attending schools in high needs communities. In the past decade more than 100 new sites have been generated as a result of this initiative. It seeks to enhance students’ academic achievement and to foster lifelong interests in the arts, recreation and other areas through high-quality expanded learning opportunities.

Vermont Afterschool has been reporting on evaluation data for Vermont’s 21st CCLC programs since 2010. Additionally, we provide professional development, technical assistance, onsite coaching, and quality improvement supports to all 21st CCLC programs across Vermont.

21st CCLC Evaluation Highlights (2018-2019)

• 12,289 students were served by 21C programs in 2018-19; 47% were served on a regular basis.
• An estimated 54% of regular 21C attendees were from lower income families (compared with the statewide school rate of 40%)
• School year sites operated for an average of 34 weeks, 4.7 days per week, and 12 hours per week during the year.
• Summer sites operated for an average of 5.2 weeks, 5 days per week, and 37.2 hours per week during the summer.
• 85% of program directors participated in 25 or more hours of professional development opportunities.
• 97% of sites provided ample opportunities for physical activity and healthy food and water.
• 94% of sites in at least their second year of operation participated in continuous quality improvement planning through the Youth Program Quality Intervention.

Download the full 2018-19 21st CCLC Evaluation report

Download the Vermont 21st CCLC fact sheet

Download the Afterschool Alliance’s national 21st CCLC overview