Brief Description: Creating the Washington community learning center program.

Sponsors: Representatives McDermott, Santos, Appleton, Haler, Fromhold, Quall, Kagi, Barlow, Cody, P. Sullivan, Walsh, Schual-Berke, Kenney, Hasegawa and Ormsby.

Hearing Date: 2/13/07

Staff: Barbara McLain (786-7383).

Background:

The Washington Afterschool Network and School's Out Washington are statewide partnerships of school districts, community nonprofit organizations, state agencies, and foundations whose goal is to improve the quantity and quality of afterschool programs. In 2004, these partnerships, in collaboration with the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), developed a statewide plan called "Afterschool in Washington: A Smart, Strategic Investment". One of the plan's primary recommendations was that the Legislature provide $5 million to support 50 additional afterschool programs to serve 9,000 at-risk, low-income, and minority children.

The 21st Century Community Learning Centers program is a federally-funded competitive grant to offer academic enrichment, tutoring, family activities, and support services outside the regular school day or school year. The OSPI administers the grant. Any public or private organization is eligible to apply, although there is a priority for school/community partnerships. The minimum grant is $50,000, with an average of about $100,000. Grants are for a five year period. There are currently 29 grant recipients from four cohorts.

There is a statutory provision that state transportation funding is not provided for "extended day transportation."

Summary of Bill:

The Washington Community Learning Center Program is established, to be administered by the OSPI. The purpose is to create or expand community learning centers, provide training and professional development for center staff, increase public awareness about afterschool programs, and support intermediary organizations in providing leadership, coordination, and advocacy for afterschool programs.

To the extent funding is available, the OSPI provides community learning center grants to any organization that meets the eligibility criteria of the federal 21st Century Community Learning Centers program. Priority must be given to requests that focus on reading and mathematics proficiency for students who attend Title I schools that are not meeting federal school improvement goals, and requests that include free transportation for students. Priority can be given to requests that involve multiple schools and organizations. Grant funds can be used for a broad array of out-of-school activities.

Each grant is for a maximum of five years. Recipients must report annually to the OSPI, including reporting on how transportation is provided for students. To the extent funding is available, the OSPI may provide grants for training and professional development of center staff. Grant recipients can seek flexibility from OSPI to use a portion of their state transportation allocation to transport students to community learning center programs.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect on August 1, 2007.