ESEA Recommendations and the Future of 21st Century CLCs

By Sam Piha

We have been following the ESEA reauthorization as it effects the future of the 21st Century CLCs. We have also tried to keep our readers informed on the definition of "extended learning opportunities," as it may rewrite the definition of afterschool. The Collaborative for Building After-School Systems authored a comprehensive memorandum to Senator Harkin, Chairperson of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. This memorandum offers a good overview of the discussions taking place regarding federally funded afterschool.

The other key senators include Sen. Michael B. Enzi of Wyoming, the top Republican, Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., himself a former Secretary of Education under President George H.W. Bush, and Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M.

We share this document here in hopes that our readers will identify the positions that they agree or disagree with. The ESEA reauthorization is also being closely followed by The Afterschool Alliance. You can visit their website to follow the most recent developments. We share other resources on recent developments in education on our Learning in Afterschool website.

To follow afterschool policy in California, you can visit the California Afterschool Advocacy Alliance (CA3) website.