DeSoto ISD awarded $1.6M/yr. for next three years to fund after school programs
(DESOTO, TX) — DeSoto ISD has been preliminarily awarded the 2016-17 Texas 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant, worth a total of $4.9M, to cover after-school programming at all elementary and middle schools for the next three years. The grant proposed award is $1.64M per year, and will allow the district to re-allocate those currently used resources towards additional student achievement opportunities.
“The grant will replace the current ISD funded Eagles That Soar after-school program. DeSoto ACE: Afterschool Centers on Education focus on improving student academic achievement and support of student development,” stated Dr. Joann Rucker, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction. “The students at these nine schools represent the future of DeSoto ISD. We need to accelerate learning for these students. We must reverse the trend of a widening achievement gap and perform at or above the state standards. Grants, such as this and the Gear Up and i3 grants, help target those most in need of academic assistance along with supports and enrichment opportunities.”
The DeSoto ACE Program aligns with the Texas ACE 21st CCLC including academic performance and college and career readiness. The goals also include family and parental support services. Based on needs assessment surveys conducted for the grant, parents’ desire safe, engaging after-school programs and are interested in helping their students succeed and prepare for college and careers. Students are seeking help with homework, test preparation and study skills, enrichment and projects, art activities and sports/athletics activities.
The grant management plan now begins with timelines in place to hire a project coordinator, family engagement coordinator, site coordinators, teachers and tutors to implement the DeSoto ACE Program including before- and after-school activities as well as Saturday academies, summer learning institute, and parent university.
“DeSoto ISD continues to seek grants that provide our students with ever advantage,” said Dr. David Harris, Superintendent of Schools. “We have structured a program that targets students in need both academically and socially, assists parents with resources to use at home, and partners with the community to give our students the best opportunities.”
