Governor Bredesen, Senator Mae Beavers and Representative Frank Buck announced today a $96,880 grant to DeKalb County Schools for after-school programs for the 2006-07 school year funded by unclaimed lottery prize money. The Lottery Education After-school Programs (LEAP) is geared toward public or non-profit agencies to expand or develop after-school programs serving at least 50 percent at-risk students for an average of 15 hours a week. The LEAP program has provided approximately $21.2 million in grants to date.
“These programs provide quality learning opportunities and a safe haven for thousands of Tennessee students after school hours,” said Governor Bredesen. “They provide our schools with additional resources to reach at-risk students and to improve their overall achievement. I am very aware of the high cost and challenge of providing services for at risk students, especially in urban districts, and I intend to work closely with the General Assembly to continue making progress in this area.”
The General Assembly passed new legislation this year for a second after-school grant program, the Test Preparation Pilot Project. This program is designed to provide ACT/SAT preparation, academic tutoring and study skills for at-risk students. Each site may serve no more than 60 seventh- through ninth-grade students for an average of 15 hours a week. The project will begin with six sites ? one urban and one rural in each of Tennessee?s three grand divisions. Each site will receive $50,000 a year for three years.
?Students need quality programs to engage them after school and help reinforce the learning that goes on during the school day,? Senator Beavers said. ?These grants will have a long term impact of the quality of life in our towns.?
?Not every child has the opportunity to receive extra help and enrichment after school,? Representative Buck said. ?These after school programs will give our children the boost they need to succeed in school and in life.?
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