School Improvement Grants and Afterschool
One important development to be aware of as extended day programs grow over time are the new School Improvement Grants, which includes around 10 million dollars in Vermont for the next two years, for schools in school improvement’ throughout the state. One of the grant requirements that all the 10 ‘tier one ‘schools have selected is the’ transformation” model, which includes adding instructional time, which could mean additional tutoring in math and reading, or additional small group targeted work during afterschool or summer hours, or perhaps other models. It is important to learn how this plays out or may play out at these ten schools, and also for all schools as time evolves. In particular this would be important for you to keep your eye on if any type of new programs are being considered or implemented, driven by this funding source or other needs.
In surveying SIG grant budgets throughout the state, 28 schools, or roughly half of the identified schools that are using SIG funds for extended learning programs (afterschool and summer) Roughly $550,000, or 12% of the SIG program budgets are going to these activities. The average amount going to these learning programs is $20,000. These programs take a variety of forms and in order of scope include: reading and math tutoring afterschool, summer programs, and in one case, an afterschool bus (there are other uses of funds as well) Most of the SIG Funds are being used for a variety of other uses, primarily on in-school PD and assessment systems.
From this info, it seems that ‘extended day programs” are not being funded at rates much higher then in the past, but are building on the good work in general that tutoring programs have provided and are being built over time. It is noteworthy that in the scan I did, tutoring was generally requested as opposed to having full classes continue as in the day- what is typically believed to be an extended day model. In Vermont it is not. Thus at this time, I don’t see a major shift happening quickly except perhaps in some individual cases.
All this being said, I would strongly consider thinking about the following in the context of above as time evolves: A) Assuring that kids continually have as many choices to access all types of high quality afterschool programs. B) Continually working to align and build unified system logistics where tutoring and other afterschool programs are considered part of one program. C) Using the knowledge base of what works afterschool to support all types of ‘afterschool’ ‘extended day’, or ‘whatever name you want to put to it’ programs.
Afterschool and Culture
Three things happened in the last few weeks that highlight for me how afterschool has taken root in Vermont and our culture. The first one was a piece on the radio http://www.vpr.net/episode/49485/ about a new children's book by Vermont author Katherine Paterson; a story about refugee children and their lives and families. (I haven't read the story yet) In the story, there is a section that talks about what is important to a young character, and afterschool is highlighted as central to a the character's needs. I thought that is a pretty cool indicator if fictional characters are valuing afterschool, then it must be important, not that I need convincing. But 'cultural indicators' are powerful markers. Secondly, the teacher of the year in Vergennes works in a 21C funded afterschool program and this was highlighted in a press release, highlighting the good work she did afterschool. Again, very cool-#2. And thirdly, I went to a meeting yesterday about audits that are being done for school improvement schools and one of the "major factors" folks will be looking at is: "Are there pre-school, afterschool, and summer programs available for all students needing more support?" Again, I was so pleased to see how the importance of using 'out of school' time is being recognized and embedded within the greater system in new ways. This is very telling that programs are working and valued by many; both at the local and state level. So let's keep moving forward!
Emanuel
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21 Grant Competition is open
Go to http://education.vermont.gov/new/html/pgm_federal/21st_CCLC.html for more info.
First Grantee meeting is October 14th in Stowe.
Summer Lights! Camera! Learning!
Videos are now in from the Summer Lights! Camera! Learning! competition sponsored by the Vermont Center for Afterschool Excellence. Lights! Camera! Learning! is a project aimed at capturing innovative learning on video and using the videos to spread the word about the wonderful experiences happening in afterschool programs across Vermont.
One component of the Lights! Camera! Learning! project is the People’s Choice award which allows individuals across the state to view the videos submitted and vote for their favorites. There are separate categories for elementary programs and middle/ high school programs, and anyone interested can cast a vote in both categories. Total viewing time for videos in either category is just under 40 minutes. The People’s Choice competition is open until October 10th and winning videos will be announced at the Vermont Afterschool Conference on October 22nd.
Link to People’s Choice award: http://vermontafterschool.org/lights_camera_learning/lights-camera-learning-peoples-choice-award/
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