The Arkansas Department of Education’s Elementary and Secondary Education Division (DESE) at Arkansas State University and its sponsoring initiative, the Arkansas Out-of-School Network, are providing $11.3 million in American Rescue Plan (ARP) ESSER III funding to 84 high-quality schools. Served in the summer after school. Statewide extended annual program.

A second round of ARP ESSER III federal relief funding was allocated to help mitigate student learning losses and support social and emotional development as a result of the pandemic. The maximum prize pool for Round 2 was set at $150,000 to be used from September 1st to August 31st, 2023. The grant expands access to quality after-school and summer programs in underserved areas across the state and provides ongoing funding for 2021 grant winners.

Recipients, including school districts and community-based partnership programs such as public libraries, non-profit organizations, career and technology programs, faith-based organizations, and institutions of higher learning, will use the grant to replace lost teaching time with academics. address the impact of Student learning through evidence-based after-school and summer programs.

“Even before the pandemic disrupted every aspect of student life, Arkansas was struggling to meet demand for after-school and summer learning programs,” said Labeta Wills, director of Arkansas’ out-of-school network. Hale says. “There are three more children waiting to enroll for every child in our after-school programs in Arkansas. This fund is an important resource for communities and programs statewide, and we are committed to distributing $18.3 million over the past year through ARP ESSER III funding. We are grateful to the Arkansas Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) for partnering with us to ensure that all children have access to quality after-school and summer learning.”

With this announcement, more than $18.3 million in federal funding was awarded to after-school and summer learning programs in Arkansas last year to ensure students stay on track after the pandemic.

“We are pleased to provide an additional $11.3 million in funding for much-needed programs that are filling gaps in providing learning opportunities for students,” said DESE Vice Chair Dr. Ivy Pfeffer. increase. “While new grants will be awarded, many of the winners of this round have received additional funding to continue the excellent work they have done. and evidence of success, and students benefit from our ongoing collaboration and partnership.”

Administered by Arkansas State University, the Arkansas Out-of-School Network is one of 50 State After-School Networks (SANs) working to facilitate the expansion of after-school and summer programs for children and youth ages 50-19. One. AOSN’s mission is to create safe, healthy, and enriching experiences for Arkansas’ youth while they’re out of school.