WELCOME!

1. WELCOME! NYS 21st Century Community Learning Centers Professional Development Extravaganza March 2012

2. Plan for the Afternoon • NYSED Updates (Budgets, Dignity Act and the ESEA Waiver) • New Evaluation Requirements • Sharing Mid-Year Report Findings • Making the Most of You for Youth

3. Budget Amendments • Deadlines for 2011-2012 FS10-As • All of Round 4 grants and grant contracts– May 18th • Rounds 5 and 5B LEA grants (schools, cities, municipalities)– May 18th • Rounds 5 and 5B Grant Contracts – April 11th • Remember : 0187-12-xxxx • Reminder: You should not spend the dollars until you receive the approval!

4. New 2012-2013 Program Budgets Round 4 and 5B • Submit as early as May 21st - one original, 2 copies - budget year is 0187-13-xxxx

5. Round 5 Close-out Procedures • Submit amendments ASAP • Spend remaining dollars on kids! • Any costs for leased equipment must be assumed by the agency. • For further information on close-out procedures: http://www.oms.nysed.gov/cafe/guidance/Guide.html#Fifteen

6. Dignity for All Students Act

12. ESEA Waiver: Knowledge is Power Understanding the Waiver and preparing for the future

13. Question: • Should New York apply for the optional waiver that would permit learning centers to receive funds under the 21st Century Community Learning Centers to use funds to support expanded learning time during the school day in addition to activities during non-school hours or periods when school is not in session?

14. Answer: • The Department recommends that New York apply for this optional waiver and incorporate it into the next grant round for this program. The Request For Proposal developed for this next grant round should be informed by legislation under consideration by the United States Senate as part of reauthorization of ESEA that calls for comprehensive school redesign. The Request For Proposal will allow additional hours of learning time as well as additional collaborative planning time and professional development for teachers and community partners who provide expanded learning in core academic subjects for 21st Century Community Learning Center program recipients.

15. Why is New York “Checking the Box? • The Board of Regents are invested in Whole School Reform: • How can education be delivered more holistically? • How can we meet the needs of kids in a more coordinated manner? • Where in the calendar are instructional and enrichment opportunities? • How can schools build robust partnerships with community organizations that are integrated into the school day?

16. Public Comment:Responses from the field • A majority of comments spoke to the fear that schools districts would use funds, not for quality after school programming, but to fill gaps in a very limited and strained budget (i.e., replace lost positions). • Research cited by New York City Commissioner Jeanne B. Mullgrav of the Department of Youth and Community Development, which argued that extended learning time during the school year and in the summer “can reinforce what students learn in school not only through explicit academic support, but also by giving them opportunities to use these basic skills in all their activities.” • Advocating for the option for extending the school day in all schools, not just Priority Schools. • Those providing comments noted the strong track record of learning centers providing “high-quality, school-linked expanded learning opportunities.”

17. If the waiver is approved, What Does It Mean for 21st CCLC Programming? • Will Round 6 programs be allowed to offer programming during the school day? YES. • Will Round 4 and 5B be allowed to offer programming during the school day using 21st Century funds? NO. • For Round 6 grants, Must school districts still partner with at least one community agency? YES. • Will community agencies be allowed to apply for grants as the lead agency? YES.

18. Questions Continued… • Will schools be allowed to use all of the 21st Century funds during the school day? NO. • Will the three main tenets of 21st Century programming still be mandated? YES. • Can schools use 21st Century funds strictly for teacher development and planning time? NO. • Is the goal to expand learning for students by allowing a portion of their enrichment and project based learning to happen in direct correlation and conjunction with core academics? YES.

19. Proposed Changes in School Accountability Designation • If the waiver is approved: • Priority and Focused schools will replace current lists of schools in accountability. • Priority: 5% of state public and charter schools • Focused: 10% of state public and charter schools

20. Follow-up Information • We will keep you informed as the waiver is approved. • The full waiver application may be found at: http://www.p12.nysed.gov/esea-waiver/esea-flexibility-request.pdf • Info on 21st CCLC pages 123-125 • Info on SES pages 16-17 • Info on new designations of priority, focused and reward schools pages 74-104 • Questions??

21. The Round 6 RFP Timing: Late Spring 2012 Funding: $20 - 25 Million Priority: As in the past , schools designated as priority or focused will receive some type of priority. Schools not in accountability status are also eligible to apply. Current Accountability lists can be found at : http://www.p12.nysed.gov/irs/accountability/

22. NYS 21st CCLC Evaluation Manual Why, What, Who, How, When

23. Why evaluation at all? • The most effective evaluation helps providers learn more about what they are doing in that: • it requires clarity in terms of specific and limited intended outcomes for participants; and a willingness and honest effort to review progress against these intentions – and to do this all the time • it moves providers away from simply assessing “What/how much are we doing?” and towards “In what ways, and by how much, are people better off now as a result of what we are doing, and in the longer term?” • it is considered at the start of an activity and then happens throughout, so that it formatively affects the work providers do – and is not only carried out summatively and after the event. Evaluating STEM initiatives – Case Studies. National STEM Centre, 2011

24. Why a Statewide Evaluation Manual? • Need for consistency among evaluations and evaluators • Helpful tool for Programs – links evaluation to program management • Aids in communication and understanding between partners • Ability to collect statewide data that has meaning – APR is not enough

25. Evaluation Information from Mid-Year Report: • 73% of programs connect with evaluator at least monthly; • 95% of programs evaluators provide useful information that helps improve the program to a great or moderate degree. • 52% of evaluators attend Advisory meetings • Frequency programs received written evaluator reports: 8% monthly 42% quarterly 36% Semi-annually 15% annually

26. What will Evaluation Look Like? • Add page 6 from manual

27. Who is responsible for completing the required evaluation? Program Directors Local Evaluator Grant Partners Statewide Evaluator NYSED staff

28. How will Round 4 and 5B grantees comply with the new evaluation plan? While not required, strongly recommended: • Meet with partners ASAP to review original proposal and mission. Decide what more needs to be accomplished in the last year of program; • Advisory Meetings: Partners meet at least semi-annually (Evaluators to attend); • Site visits: At least 2; • Student Outcomes Survey: Encouraged to use some type of survey; • Written Evaluation reports: Interim and Annual.

29. When will the new Evaluation Plan become effective? • July 1, 2012 for Round 6 Grantees • Start talking with your evaluator NOW. Questions ??

30. 2012 Mid-Year Report: More Stats and Stories • 167 programs submitted the mid-year report. • Number of program sites: 53% 1-2 sites 28% 3-4 sites 16% 5 or more (up to 12!) • 94% of programs review budgets at least monthly (yay!) • 89% of programs have advisory committees, which means 11% do not • 84% of advisory committees meet quarterly

31. Celebrate Success!! • Attendance and retention • Coordination and engagement with school day teachers • Meaningful connections between staff and kids • Arts and Media: Films, TV, Murals • Improved grades!!

32. and alas, some challenges remain: • Attendance and retention • Parent engagement and services • Professional Development opportunities • Staff recruitment and turnover • Security Costs (NYC) • Sustainability

33. You for Youth (aka Y4Y) • Making the most of The US Department of Education Website! y4y.ed.gov