The Twenty-First Century After School Program

What is the Twenty-First Century After School Program and what services does a Twenty-First Teacher provide?

Twenty-First Century (21C) programs are funded through the United States Department of Education (USDOE). Generally, funds flow from the USDOE to the state cognizant agency, usually the state department of education. This is the process in Vermont; all awards are based upon solicitations of the Vermont Department of Education (VDOE). Virtually all recognized agencies, schools and organizations are eligible to apply. NEKLS received a VDOE award for a 21C program to be operated at schools within the Orleans Central Supervisory Union. It is an innovative public-private partnership that has produced outcome success for enrolled students. The program administrative unit is located at the Central Orleans Family Education Center. Questions should be directed to the Family Literacy Specialist who can be reached at 1-802-525-4062 or at familyliteracy21c@yahoo.com.

The 21C LIFE Program, Learning for an Independent Future through Education, housed at the Central Orleans Family Education Center, is a fully integrated family literacy program that partners with the Orleans Central Supervisory Union to assist low-income children and families connect with their school and makes educational gains. The program has three goals:

1. The ongoing, systematic identification, engagement and education of those children and families whose educational and economic impoverishment makes them the most susceptible to being left behind and remaining so for generations;
2. The majority (90% or better) of that population successfully using the Family Education Center program to attain and maintain the level of education and family skills necessary to stop the cycle of intergenerational poverty in their families;
3. Fulfill the three state performance goals of No Child Left Behind Act (NCLBA):
   1. By 2013-2014 all students will reach high standards, at a minimum attaining proficiency or better in reading/language arts and mathematics;
   2. All limited English proficient students will become proficient in English and reach high academic standards, at a minimum attaining proficiency or better in reading/language arts and mathematics;
   3. All students will graduate from high school.

To do this the Family Literacy Specialist works one-on-one and in small groups with the 34 individuals in the program offering tutoring and homework support during the school year. The program also provides engaging academic activities for the participants in the summer.

The service provider also assists with and maintains consistent and appropriate communication between school and home when deemed necessary by the schools, parents, and students. The program collaborates with Even Start, Head Start, Early Essential Education, and Learning Works (ABE) to host family events and activities centered on parenting, nutrition, safety & prevention, and other topics of interest and value to the families. It is the charge of the 21C LIFE Program to offer a family literacy program with an educational emphasis that promotes the success of all individuals involved in an individualized and personalized manner.

The program is evaluated annually by an outside evaluator. Both qualitative and quantitative measures are utilized. Results are presented to the supervisory union executive committee and submitted to the VDOE. Evaluations are available upon request.