New resources reveal ELO/OST opportunities from ARRA funds
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Last week, the U.S. Department of Education posted a new resource, Using ARRA Funds to Drive School Reform and Improvement. The document clearly asserts that extended learning time is a strategy that reflects the priorities of the ARRA (American Reconstruction and Recovery Act):
"Extend learning time for students. Expand after-school and summer learning programs for two years in conjunction with existing community providers to provide more time for learning, including one-on-one and small group instruction, opportunities for service, internships, the arts, and other activities that both enrich the curriculum and address the specific needs of low-performing students."
ARRA has opened up many funding opportunities to support afterschool/ELO programs. The Afterschool Alliance Network provides excellent one-page summary that can help you take fullest advantage of available stimulus dollars. You'll find it available for download on the Afterschool Alliance website.
While you're there, be sure to visit the Alliance's wiki, where you'll find up-to-date discussions about utilizing stimulus funds to support afterschool programming.
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| We'd like to hear from you . . . |
If you haven't already done so, please take a moment to visit our website and fill out a Partner Form at:
www.NebraskaCLCNetwork.org
Feel free to contact Jeff Cole with your questions or comments at:
jcole@nebraskachildren.org
The Nebraska Community Learning Center Network is administered by Nebraska Children and Families Foundation.
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ELOs, OSTs continue to attract national interest
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Greetings!
We are seeing a lively and growing interest in
high-quality initiatives that provide safe, structured learning environments for
students outside the traditional school day. References to ELOs (e xtended learning opportunities) and OSTs (o ut-of-school time programs) are popping up on the national radar with greater frequency than ever before. We think you'll find this trend very valuable when explaining to others in your community that ELOs and OSTs aren't limited just to before- and after-school programs. They include summer, evening and weekend activities that provide mentoring, tutoring and homework support; community service opportunities; organized sports; fine arts programs and more. This month's N CLC N newsletter provides summaries of and links to recently released reports on ELOs and OSTs, and opportunities emerging with the stimulus funds. And don't miss our update on the core competencies project for professionals working with school-aged youth at the conclusion of the newsletter. Happy reading!
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 Exploring the cost of quality programs and strategies for city wide ELO systems
The Wallace Foundation recently released The Cost of Quality Out-Of-School-Time Programs, a new study and on-line cost
calculator to help communities better understand the financial impact
of running high-quality extended learning services for children.
"We
commissioned this research to fill a critical knowledge gap - accurate
data about the full cost of providing high-quality out-of-school time
programs," said M. Christine DeVita, president of the Wallace
Foundation. "This study provides the field, for the first time, with
comparable cost data on a wide variety of high-quality program types.
Especially at a time of great fiscal challenges, we hope it will allow
state and city policymakers, funders, providers and their partners to
make more informed decisions about how to sustain and support the kinds
of high-quality programs that we know produce the greatest benefit for
children."
The Cost of Quality Out-of-School-Time Programs
study is part of an initiative that aims to develop city wide
approaches for providing more children access to high-quality
out-of-school time programs. The study and online cost calculator,
along with many other research reports, is available without charge at
The Wallace Foundation website.
Another valuable resource available at the Wallace Foundation
website is A Place to Grow and Learn, which provides important insights into how
developing city-wide OST initiatives can lead to high-quality and
sustainable programs. You can download the report here.
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New reports examine ELO impact on older youth and the importance of quality
 The Charles Stuart Mott Foundation has long been a committed supporter of quality ELO programming not only in their native Michigan, but across the nation. Their work to shape state-level policies that advance ELOs benefits a wide community including Nebraska, where Mott is a key funder of the N CLC N. Mott and several of its key partners recently announced the publication of two new resources that will enable advocates for ELOs to build a more effective case for high-quality programs serving youth.
Learning Around the Clock: The Benefits of Expanded Learning Opportunities for Older Youth includes profiles of 22 demonstrably-effective programs from across the nation. The report provides evidence of the role of ELOs in improved academic performance, college and career preparation, social and emotional development, and health and wellness in older youth. It is available for download from the American Youth Policy Forum's website.
 The Quality Imperative: A State Guide to Achieving the Promise of Extended Learning Opportunities highlights the positive impact high-quality ELOs have on student success. The report cites evidence from multiple programs confirming substantial improvements in academic achievement, school attendance, student engagement, work-study habits and social and emotional development. In particular, the report focuses on how high quality ELOs can provide the most crucial supports and services needed by low-income and minority youth.
The Quality Imperative also provides a blueprint to state leaders for boosting the quality and success of ELO programs through seven key strategies. These strategies can also provide a valuable framework for local program coordinators to build the case for high-quality ELOs in their communities. The report, which was developed through a joint effort of the National Governors Association and the Council for Chief State School Officers, is available for download here.
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 Statewide Core Competencies Planning Underway
On May 1, the first statewide meeting of a planning team developing core competencies for youth development professionals was held at the 4-H / Cooperative Extension center in Lincoln. The Network, working in partnership with the Nebraska Department of Education's Early Childhood Training Center convened the group which was hosted by UNL's statewide 4-H / Cooperative Extension program.
Approximately 25 youth development professionals participated in the all-day workshop, which developed the goals, the recommended format and action plan for the project. These efforts build on work the Early Childhood Training Center completed last year to develop core competencies for early childhood professionals. The team also reviewed existing work from similar projects in other states.
Much of the detail work and writing for this project will take place in individual teams over the summer. The material will then be synthesized, reviewed and shared with stakeholders across the state.
If you have any questions or are interested in participating in this process, please contact Jeff Cole at (402) 477-6422.
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