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IBA announces bid for 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant

3-year funding opportunity from MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education would fund program expansion for IBA’s Afterschool and Summer Learning Program BOSTON, Mass: IBA - Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción will be submitting a full proposal to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, seeking a 21^st Century Community Learning Centers Grant for their Afterschool and Summer Learning Program. The competitive grant, which administers federal funds to support “the planning and implementation of additional learning time for students in grades K-12… will help to close proficiency gaps, increase student engagement, and support college and career readiness and success.” IBA’s Afterschool and Summer Learning Program currently partners with the Blackstone Innovation School to provide rigorous and enriching out-of-school time programs for 1^st and 2^nd grade English Language Learners during the school year and summer. For this funding opportunity, IBA has proposed a Three-Phase expansion initiative that, if awarded, would double IBA’s current enrollment—allowing the program to serve students in 1^st through 4^th grade by Summer 2016. Research has shown the critical importance of supporting early readers: 1 in 6 students not reading on grade level by grade 3 will not graduate from high school on time. By expanding the program’s reach to 3^rd and 4^th grade, IBA will not only be able to support students through the early stages of their literacy development, but also through the first phase of their academic testing careers (Statewide PARCC assessments begin in the 3^rd grade). The proposed program would provide 480 additional hours of engaging and innovative academic instruction to 120 students annual. The grant submission is due by April 16, 2015. If funding is awarded, IBA’s contract would begin in September of 2015. For questions regarding this proposal, you may contact Jenna Gabriel, Director of Youth Development Programs, at jgabriel@ibaboston.org or 617-535-1757....