Notice of Public Comment
The U.S. Department of Education is providing States, including the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) with program flexibilities to meet the needs of students and educators during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act Section 4201(b)(1)(A), 20 U.S.C. § 7171, restricts activities provided by a program funded under the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers program (21st CCLC) to activities provided only during non-school hours or periods when school is not in session (such as before and after school or during summer recess).
Under the proposed flexibility, the 21st CCLC grant program will allow State education agencies (SEAs) and BIE to waive the definition of Community Learning Center(s) for implementation of services during non-school hours or periods when school is not in session for 21st CCLC programs in school year 2020-2021.
BIE through the Division of Performance and Accountability (DPA) is applying for this waiver, for School Year (SY) 2020-2021, which will advance student academic achievement by authorizing academic enrichment activities and other allowable 21st CCLC activities to occur during times when school is in session. This includes when students are engaged in distance or alternative learning due to disruptions caused by COVID-19. All other requirements of a 21st CCLC program will continue to apply.
BIE is providing BIE funded schools, educational partners and stakeholders with this public notice and an opportunity to comment on this waiver. Comments are due via email to dpaessa@bie.edu by November 13, 2020.
