| Today, Congressman Dale E. Kildee (D-MI) announced that Pontiac School District will receive $1.8 million for afterschool programs from the U.S. Department of Education. This grant under the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program will fund nine school site learning centers designed to serve approximately 1,800 students by keeping schools open during non-traditional hours and offering innovative learning and recreation programs.
“This funding is a much needed boost for the Pontiac School District in their efforts to extend learning opportunities and keep children safe when school is not in session,” said Kildee. “These resources are going to provide many of our children with the opportunity to advance their academic skills.”
The 21st Century Community Learning Centers program was first enacted under the leadership of Congressman Kildee in 1994. First funded at less than $1 million, the program received $846 million as part of the last budget agreement approved by Congress in December. Most recently, Kildee led the fight to protect and continue this program during reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Act. The program funds school-based centers that provide safe, drug-free, supervised and cost-effective afterschool, weekend or summer havens for children. Students are provided with academic tutoring, hands on computer training and other enrichment activities. Funds are designed to target high-need urban and rural communities that lack the resources to respond to community problems.
Congressman Dale E. Kildee is second most senior Democratic Member on the U.S. House of Representatives, Education and the Workforce Committee. Kildee is the top Democratic Member on the Subcommittee on Education Reform, which oversees Federal programs for K-12 education, including the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), Child Nutrition and School Lunch, Head Start, and Special Education. During this Congress, Representative Kildee has primarily focused on accountability for educational results, increased teacher quality, class-size reduction, school construction and improved school safety and discipline. |
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