GOV. MALLOY ANNOUNCES FUNDING FOR
AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS
More than $200,000 for Macdonough School for
2013-14 and 2014-15 School Years
(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Dannel P. Malloy, together with State
Department of Education Commissioner Stefan Pryor, today announced After-School
Grant Program awards totaling $8,490,000 over the biennium to support 26
programs in 18 districts. After-school programs provide a link for communities
and families for meaningful engagement in the educational development and
well-being of students. Investments into high-quality after-school programs aid
in supporting academic achievement, in addition to improving school attendance
and in-school behaviors of the participating students.
“Growing existing programs that work and creating new
after-school options not only creates a safe environment for our young people,
but further supports our ceaseless efforts to level the playing field and begin
to eliminate the devastating achievement gap,” Governor Dannel P. Malloy said.
The grants awarded today will support 26 after-school programs
in Bloomfield, Bridgeport, East Hartford, Enfield, Hartford, Litchfield,
Middletown, Milford, New Britain, New Haven, Norwalk, Norwich, Old Lyme,
Stafford, Stamford, Waterbury, Winchester, and Windham districts.
“To support student success across the state, we must ensure
that partners are provided the opportunity to address challenges present in
their communities. The After-School Grant Program is one example of how we can
enable this important work,” said State Department of Education Commissioner
Stefan Pryor. “We are grateful for the support and leadership of Governor
Malloy and the General Assembly, which makes this investment possible.”
The After-School Grant Program promotes the implementation or
expansion of high-quality after-school programs that operate while school is not
in session. These programs provide valuable educational enrichment and
recreational activities for K-12 students. Often located in elementary,
secondary or other facilities, programs also assist working parents by providing
a safe environment for students.
Programs are designed to complement the student’s in-school
academic programming and to provide opportunities for parental or guardian
involvement. After-school programs can offer a wide range of services that
support student learning such as tutoring, mentoring, homework help, and
enrichment opportunities like hands-on science projects. Some programs offer
opportunities for community service, music, art, sports and cultural
activities. Other programs might offer youth development activities such as
character education, counseling; or drug, violence and pregnancy prevention
programs.
The State Department of Education selected the grant recipients
through a competitive process that considered the strength of the proposal to
address the needs of students in their community, promote parental and community
engagement, provide academic enrichment, support the overall wellness of
students, and demonstrate strong program organization.
