American Rescue Plan (ARP) ESSER III Afterschool and Summer Grants

American Rescue Plan (ARP) ESSER III Afterschool and Summer Grants is sponsored by Arkansas Department of Education, Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) / Arkansas Out of School Network (AOSN). These grants provide funding for afterschool and summer learning programs that address student social-emotional development and learning loss as a result of COVID-19.

Priority is given to programs serving a high percentage of students disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.

Arkansas Out of School Network - Home Youth Development Institute Starting Afterschool and Summer Learning Programs "Summer Learning Leads to Student Success" The summer break, while a much-needed respite for students and teachers alike, often leads to a concerning phenomenon known as the "summer slide". What is the summer slide?

It refers to the noticeable decline in academic skills, especially in math and reading, that students experience during a long summer break due to a lack of structured learning, essentially causing them to "slide backward" in their knowledge retention compared to the school year. Quality summer learning programs not only combat the dreaded summer slide, they provide necessary summer for parents and communities to thrive.

Benefits of a Quality Summer Learning Program Children in high-poverty areas struggle to meet basic needs like healthy food, exercise, and safe environments. Summer learning programs offer access to supportive, caring adults and nutritious meals. It provides structure to summer, helping kids stay engaged, focused, and out of trouble.

Because summer programs offer a variety of classroom and outdoor learning opportunities, field trips, and focused academic sessions, summer and afterschool programs are helping reduce absenteeism and shape positive learning experiences. Summer learning loss is real. By the fifth grade, summer loss can leave students two-and-a-half to three years behind their peers.

Programs can focus on specific areas of learning that students may need extra practice in and even enhance students' knowledge throughout the summer. Summer programs help accelerate 21st century workforce skills and allow youth to explore their interests beyond the bell.

Not only do these programs provide opportunities for students to interact with peers and build communication skills, summer learning encourages career exploration, leadership and civic learning.

​​​We know that afterschool and summer learning programs are a key resource to helping young people develop valuable 21st-century workforce skills, such as communication, leadership, and team building while gaining confidence through civic learning.

With the state unemployment rate currently below the national average, these programs can also serve as a valuable tool for employers who are looking to bridge the current skills gap and strengthen the workforce of tomorrow. Summer learning programs provide opportunities for individualized career exploration through job shadowing, apprenticeships, and hands-on learning activities like coding and robotics.

Source: Afterschool Alliance Source: National Summer Learning Association The Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education tapped the AOSN in 2021 to distribute American Rescue Plan (ARP) ESSER III sub-awards for afterschool, summer, and extended-year learning programs. The ESSER III funds promote high-quality learning recovery through literacy, STEM, health and wellness, enrichment, and workforce development.

ARP ESSER III grants prioritize new programs and expansion programs in underserved areas. Summer Learning Bright Spots Click here for assistance with locating a Summer Program To request information about programs in a specific city click here Arkansas Needs More Summer Learning Programs According to the Afterschool Alliance , approximately 86,000 young people attend a summer learning program in Arkansas each year.

However, the unmet demand for summer learning programs across the state has reached an all-time high, with more than 173,000 children who would be enrolled in a program if one were available to them.

Demand for quality summer and afterschool programs in Arkansas surges as parents see key benefits from summer learning and afterschool, including keeping kids safe, helping them learn and grow, and providing peace of mind for working families. As families face barriers to participation, such as cost and accessibility, there is strong support behind public funding for afterschool programs in the state.

Source: Afterschool Alliance An overwhelming majority of Arkansas parents favor public funding for after-school and summer learning programs Arkansas parents say Opportunities to build life skills are important to summer learning Arkansas parents are overwhelmingly satisfied with their child’s structured summer experience of teachers say students who participate in a summer learning program are better prepared for school in the fall Summer Learning Resources NSLA Summer Activity Guide Youth Development Mizzen Education National Summer Learning Week Is Around The Corner!

Arkansas Out of School Network Dr. Laveta Wills-Hale, Network Director 501 Woodlane St. STE 521S