Grants to help boost some local after-school programs
By Mindy Hagen
After-school programs at several Lowcountry schools will be bolstered thanks to new grants that will fund tutoring, mentoring, counseling and enrichment activities for students.
The state Department of Education announced Monday that 25 agencies across the state have been awarded 21st Century community learning center grants. The combined funding totals more than $4 million.
The awards are funded through the federal No Child Left Behind legislation and are used to expand after-school programs that focus on academic activities for students, especially those from low-income schools in rural and urban areas. The grants also fund literacy and other programs for families.
Grants can be earned by school districts, individual public schools, community-based organizations, faith-based organizations or other public or private groups.
In the Lowcountry, the Charleston County and Berkeley County school districts both earned grants this year. Charleston received $170,000, and Berkeley earned $198,740. Berkeley will spend the funds on establishing new after-school programs at College Park and J.K. Gourdin elementary schools, said Mike Turner, the district's assistant superintendent for learning services. "These programs can be extremely helpful for reinforcing academic standards for children who need additional assistance," Turner said.
In addition to the school districts, two community agencies also received funding to sponsor programs. In Charleston, Hope Worldwide South Carolina, a faith-based organization, garnered $147,000.
With more than $127,700, the New Beginnings Human Services Agency will turn Windsor Hill Elementary's after-school program into a technology-driven center. The goal is for children who scored basic and below basic on Palmetto Achievement Challenge Tests at the Dorchester District 2 school to improve their skills through computerized instruction, said Sandra Ford, agency executive director.
There are currently 91 existing 21st Century learning centers in South Carolina at 200 sites.
Reach Mindy B. Hagen at mhagen@postandcourier.com or 937-5433.
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