of the ESEA-No Child Left Behind Act of 2001

21st Century Schools

Part A -- Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities

Part B -- 21st Century Community Learning Centers

Summary of Title IV
Title IV includes the Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities and 21st Century Community Learning Centers Programs. Safe and Drug Free Schools includes local, state, and national programs to: prevent violence in and around schools; prevent illegal use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs; involve parents and communities; and coordinate with other resources to foster a safe and drug-free environment that supports academic achievement. 21st Century Community Learning Centers support communities to create or expand before- and after-school opportunities for academic enrichment, particularly for students in low-performing schools. Such Community Learning Centers also offer students a broad array of additional services, programs, and activities to reinforce and complement the regular academic program. Title IV also bans smoking within any indoor facility regularly used for kindergarten, elementary, or secondary education, library services to children, or routine health care or day care or early childhood development services.

Part A-Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities
Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities continues to provide funds to local education agencies based on a formula and to the Governor's Office or designee for discretionary grants. The funds may be used for a variety of activities as part of a comprehensive plan for drug and violence prevention. Funds must be used consistent with the principles of effectiveness involving: an assessment of objective needs data; use of performance measures; basing programs on scientific research about needs and prevalence of drug use and violence; ongoing parental involvement; and evaluation of results. National programs for which schools can apply include: National Coordinator Program; Grants to Reduce Alcohol Abuse; and Mentoring Programs.

The requirement to use an evidence-based program from a federally sanctioned list or to request a waiver and prove the effectiveness of other programs is a major change. While a wider range of activities and ability to transfer funds with other programs allow greater local flexibility, program effectiveness must be demonstrated using objective data. School districts are required to identify "measurable objectives" for their grant funded activities.  The end of year report is done electronically. The measurable objectives will pre-populate the report to help districts describe progress made at year's-end.

Program contact(s):

CESAs 1, 3, 4, 7, 9 Kenneth Wagner ATODA Programs Consultant 608-266-5181 kenneth.wagner@dpi.wi.gov

CESAs 2, 10, 11 Brenda Jennings ATODA Programs Consultant 608-266-7051 brenda.jennings@dpi.wi.gov

CESAs 5, 6, 8, 12 Joan Lerman ATODA Programs Consultant 608-266-2829 joan.lerman@dpi.wi.gov

For more information:

http://sspw.dpi.wi.gov/sspw_safedrgfr

Part B-Community Learning Centers
This program provides competitive grants to help communities establish or expand activities in community learning centers that:

1) provide opportunities for academic enrichment including providing tutorial services to help students-particularly students who attend low performing schools-meet student academic achievement standards in core academic subjects, such as reading and mathematics;

2) offer students a broad array of additional services, programs, and activities-such as youth development activities, drug and violence prevention programs, counseling programs, art, music, and recreation programs, technology education programs, and character education programs-that are designed to reinforce and complement the regular academic program of participating students, and;

3) offer families of students served by community learning centers opportunities for literacy and related educational development.

Formerly a national competitive grant program, the Community Learning Center grants now will be available through competition from DPI. The requirement to serve children from high poverty schools is new, as are the priority for schools in need of improvement and the strong focus on academic achievement. State technical assistance will help develop, implement, evaluate, and sustain Community Learning Centers.

Program contact:

Doug White
Director
Student Services/Prevention and Wellness
608-266-5198
douglas.white@dpi.wi.gov

For more information:

http://sspw.dpi.wi.gov/sspw_clc