Schuylkill IU receives 21st Century Community Learning Center grant for Mahanoy Area, others
Sentinel Staff Reports
MAHANOY CITY – Today, the PA Department of education announced $22 Million in 21st Century Community Learning Center grant awards, and among the recipients is the Schuylkill Intermediate Unit, which will benefit the Mahanoy Area School District and four others in the county, the department said.
The grants, PDE said in a media release, are to provide opportunities to low-income areas “struggling to aid students in their academic achievements.”
“Twenty-first Century Learning Center grants provide critical investments for communities to expand educational opportunities for students and families,” Education Secretary Pedro A. Rivera said. “This year’s recipients were selected with an emphasis on improving educational equity and expanding the geographic reach of Pennsylvania’s programs. As a result, more students across the state will have access to wellness, literacy, and career and technical education programs, among others.”
Schuylkill IU 29 received $230,000 to go towards Mahanoy Area, Minersville Area, Pine Grove Area, Pottsville Area, and Williams Valley.
The funding is for 2019-2024, and 99 grant applications were received, requesting more than $30 Million. Eight review teams took into consideration six state priorities before awarding grants: STEM/STEAM education; workforce, career, and college readiness; planning for transitional vocational/technical services; high school credit recovery; underserved geographic locations; and schools designated for Comprehensive Support and Improvement and/or Additional Targeted Support & Improvement designated schools.
The 21st CCLC program is authorized under Title IV, Part B of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act. The federal funds are intended to provide students who attend high-poverty and low-performing schools with additional services to meet state and local standards. Grants may be used to establish and expand community learning centers, provide academic enrichment, youth development services, and literacy programs.
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