Resources
21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) provides academic enrichment opportunities during non-school hours for children, particularly students who attend high-poverty and low-performing schools. Check your school district or state Department of Education website to determine whether there is a 21st CCLC program in your community. https://www2.ed.gov/programs/21stcclc/index.html
Boys & Girls Clubs of America offers many local programs that support the needs of all young people. Find your local club by entering your location in this search engine: https://www.bgca.org/programs/all-programs
Child Care Aware of America has many resources to learn about childcare in the U.S. http://www.childcareaware.org/about/. This resource is available in English and Spanish. There are over 400 local Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) agencies in the U.S. Your local CCR&R can help you find childcare near your home or work. Search for your CCR&R here: http://childcareaware.org/ccrr-search-form/. The website also includes information on programs that can help pay for childcare here: https://www.childcareaware.org/help-paying-child-care-federal-and-state-child-care-programs/. This resource is available in English and Spanish.
U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR). (2015) Dear Colleague Letter: English Learner Students and Limited English Proficient Parents. Retrieved from https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/letters/colleague-el-201501.pdf. This Dear Colleague letter reminds states, school districts, and schools of their obligations under federal law to ensure that English learner students have equal access to a high-quality education and the opportunity to achieve their full academic potential. This resource is available in numerous languages, including Spanish, Korean, Arabic, Chinese, and Vietnamese.
More information about OCR, including how to file a complaint can be found at https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/index.html.
Many YMCAs offer out-of-school-time programs. Find your local YMCA by entering your location in this search engine: http://www.ymca.net/about-us.
Definitions
A magnet school is defined in the ESEA, for purposes of the federal Magnet Schools Assistance Program, as “a public elementary school, public secondary school, public elementary education center, or public secondary education center that offers a special curriculum capable of attracting substantial numbers of students of different racial backgrounds.” Magnet schools may offer special instruction in academic content like science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) or different languages. Magnet schools do not charge tuition to families, though they may have a separate admissions process. Magnet schools must comply with local, state, and federal laws.
A public charter school is a publicly funded school that is typically governed by a group or organization under a legislative contract (or charter) with the state, district, or other entity. It provides an elementary or secondary education program or both. Charter schools are free from some state or local rules and regulations, but they do need to meet the accountability standards outlined in their charters. A school's charter is reviewed periodically by the entity that granted it and can be taken away if guidelines on curriculum and management are not followed or if the accountability standards are not met.59 Public charter schools vary according to a state’s charter school laws so characteristics such as the curriculum they use or the programs they offer may differ from state to state. However, there are some common characteristics of charter schools. Among these, families choose to apply to have a child attend a charter school and attendance is free. Public charter schools also differ from traditional public schools because they can use innovative educational practices. Charter schools may offer in-person, online, and hybrid classes.
A charter school that receives federal money must comply with all applicable federal requirements. The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Elementary and Secondary Education operates the Expanding Opportunity Through Quality Charter Schools Program (CSP), which provides money to support the creation of new charter schools and the replication and expansion of existing, high-quality charter schools. A charter school receiving CSP money must meet the definition of a charter school in section 4310(2) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965, as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). See https://oese.ed.gov/offices/office-of-formula-grants/school-support-and-accountability/essa-legislation-table-contents/title-iv-21st-century-schools/#sec4310 for more information.
This document contains examples and resource materials that are provided for the user’s convenience. The inclusion of any material is not intended to reflect its importance, nor is it intended to endorse any views expressed, or products or services offered. These materials may contain the views and recommendations of various subject matter experts as well as hypertext links, contact addresses, and websites to information created and maintained by other public and private organizations. The opinions expressed in any of these materials do not necessarily reflect the positions or policies of the U.S. Department of Education. The U.S. Department of Education does not control or guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness, or completeness of any outside information included in these materials. Mentions of specific programs or products in these examples are designed to provide a clearer understanding and are not meant as endorsements.
59 U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics. (2019). The condition of education 2021: Public charter school enrollment (2009-2018). Retrieved from https://nces.ed.gov/programs/coe/indicator_cgb.asp.