In 1998, the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program provided nearly $100 million to rural and inner-city public schools to address the educational needs of its community after-school, weekends and summers. Another $100 million is available in 1999 for a new grant competition. The focus of this program, authorized under Title X, Part I, of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, is to provide expanded learning opportunities for participating children in a safe, drug-free and supervised environment. The 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CLC) program enables schools to stay open longer, providing a safe place for homework centers, intensive mentoring in basic skills, drug and violence prevention counseling, helping middle school students to prepare to take college prep courses in high school, enrichment in the core academic subjects as well as opportunities to participate in recreational activities, chorus, band and the arts, technology education programs and services for children and youth with disabilities.
About 900 rural and inner-city public schools in nearly 300 communities--in collaboration with other public and non-profit agencies and organizations, local businesses, educational entities (such as vocational and adult education programs, school-to-work programs, community colleges, and universities), and scientific/cultural, and other community institutions--are now participating as 21st Century CLCs.