OregonASK meets with policy makers to educate on the importance of afterschool expanded learning opportunities. We host an semi-annual Day at the Capital where we offer the Oregon Legislature information on afterschool. This gives providers, schools, parents and youth the opportunity to have their voice heard.
In addition, we have three white papers on the impact that afterschool programs have for children, youth and families.
#1 Keep Kids Safe
#2 Inspire Learning
#3 Support Working Families
OregonASK has created two videos to connect policy makers with the youth and families who benefit from afterschool. Please contact us at 503-540-4481 for a copy of these videos.
Oregon has Checked the Box: Waiver 11
What will this mean for Oregon children/youth,
families and providers?
The Opportunity Presented by the U.S. Department of Education
The U.S. Department of Education (Department) is offering each State educational agency (SEA) the opportunity to request flexibility on behalf of itself, its local educational agencies (LEAs), and its schools, in order to better focus on improving student learning and increasing the quality of instruction. This voluntary opportunity will provide educators and State and local leaders with flexibility regarding specific requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) in exchange for rigorous and comprehensive State-developed plans designed to improve educational outcomes for all students, close achievement gaps, increase equity, and improve the quality of instruction. This flexibility is intended to build on and support the significant State and local reform efforts already underway in critical areas such as transitioning to college- and career-ready standards and assessments; developing systems of differentiated recognition, accountability, and support; and evaluating and supporting teacher and principal effectiveness.
The Department invites interested SEAs to request this flexibility pursuant to the authority in section 9401 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), which allows the Secretary to waive, with certain exceptions, any statutory or regulatory requirement of the ESEA for an SEA that receives funds under a program authorized by the ESEA and requests a waiver. Under this flexibility, the Department would grant waivers through the 2013-2014 school year, after which time an SEA may request an extension of this flexibility.
Oregon’s Option
Under the leadership of Governor John Kitzhaber and Superintendent of Public Instruction Susan Castillo, Oregon has indicated its intent to apply to the U.S. Department of Education, seeking waivers from certain provisions of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) commonly referred to as No Child Left Behind. There are ten (10) provisions that would be waived (as a package), with an additional provision being optional. Provision #11 pertains to the Twenty-First Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program, and states:
An SEA should check the box below only if it chooses to request a waiver of the following requirements:
The requirements in ESEA sections 4201(b)(1)(A) and 4204(b)(2)(A) that restrict the activities provided by a community learning center under the Twenty-First Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program to activities provided only during non-school hours or periods when school is not in session (i.e., before and after school or during summer recess). The SEA requests this waiver so that 21st CCLC funds may be used to support expanded learning time during the school day in addition to activities during non-school hours or periods when school is not in session.
Current Use of 21st CCLC Funds
More than 10,000 of Oregon’s low-income students participate in afterschool programs funded by 21st CCLC funds. While it benefits all students, the more flexible, informal afterschool space is particularly helpful to students who struggle in the classroom. It is an environment free from high stakes testing, grading and much of the pressure associated with the school day, yet it offers proven academic benefits.
Afterschool programs pair students with mentors, help them explore their interests, and relieve parents of worries about what their children are doing after schools close until parents get home from work. Quality afterschool programs are cost-effective, flexible and innovative.
A good afterschool program, no matter where it is, is pretty simple. Mix in community partners, staff reflective of the community (not just the school staff), parents and students, and stir into a program that supports student learning, provides activities and opportunities for hands-on learning and self -guided exploration, offers enrichment activities in and outside of the community to engage youth in a broader world, and provides a safe place for youth and families to connect and reconnect.
Making the Case: Don’t Check the Box!
Quality afterschool programs are cost-effective, are attractive to young people, and provide more mentoring opportunities that build knowledge that reaches far beyond textbooks and the classroom. Cutting funding to afterschool programs in an effort to support extended school days will ultimately put an end to impactful afterschool programs all over Oregon. Even worse, it will further remove the community as a whole from investing their time and talent in the lives of our young people. 21st CCLC funded programs are required to create these kinds of community and school based partnerships because they are based on best practice in the field and also because with community buy-in, they can be sustained by more than federal grant funds for the long term.
Funding for afterschool programs is painfully scarce. Just one federal funding stream, the 21st Century Community Learning Center initiative (21st CCLC), is dedicated to supporting programs run jointly by schools and community-based organizations to expand learning before school, after school and over the summer for our most disadvantaged students.
Budget cuts at all levels have taken a toll on both the availability of programs as well as on the children and families that rely on these programs. Policy makers need to hear and see the value of before-school, afterschool and summer learning programs, and need to be reminded that these programs are not a luxury but rather are essential to the success of young people in school, and also in life.
There is no language to promote or guarantee hands-on learning, individualized tutoring and mentoring, holistic approaches to teaching that incorporate youth development practices, or community partnerships that greatly enrich the lives of youth and make the most effective use of private and public sector dollars. The waiver opens the door for cash-strapped school districts to use funds that now support afterschool and summer programs to merely add more time to the school day.
Checking the box undermines the well-being of our students, families, and communities.
Day at the Capitol - April 14, 2011 Highlights!
All 90 Oregon legislators received packets containing Oregon's Vision for Supporting Student Success, a snapshot of afterschool stats and highlights, and recommendations on SB 291 and 480...
Conversations with specific legislators allowed program providers to share the important impact of their community's afterschool programs...
The tantilizing fragrance of freshly popped popcorn floated even to the FOURTH floor - enticing people from every corner of the building to a glimpse of what's happening in afterschool in Oregon...
Senate Bill 291, which calls for the establishment of an Extended Learning Task Force, was passed out of committee and will go to the Senate Floor!
Senate Bill 480, which asks the Department of Education to provide assistance to school, districts, government agencies and community groups applying for the Afterschool Meal and Snack Program, is in Ways and Means!
Afterschool for All
Be counted as a friend for afterschool in Oregon. Afterschool for All Oregon is a partnership with Oregon Afterschool for Kids (Oregon ASK) and the Afterschool Alliance to bring together all Oregon residents who believe that young people deserve positive, enriching opportunities after school and in the summer.
OregonASK invites you to sign on as a friend to afterschool. Make your voice heard - Click Here!
