Virginia Department of Education Evaluation of 21st Century Community Learning Centers 2017-2018

A 2019 evaluation of Virginia’s 21^st Century Community Learning Centers found that based on teacher-reported outcomes, an overwhelming majority of students improved their academic performance (63 percent), classroom behavior (70 percent), and homework completion and class participation (77 percent). Additionally, students indicated that the programs helped them get better grades, attend class regularly, behave in class, and “prepare for a job or career”. When comparing 21^st CCLC students to non-attendees, students receiving special education services in the programs outperformed those not in programs. 

Alaska 21st Century Community Learning Centers Statewide Evaluation Report: Fiscal Year 2018

A 2019 evaluation by Education Northwest of Alaska’s 21^st Century Community Learning Center (21^st CCLC) afterschool programs found that students who participated more regularly in programs saw greater academic and behavioral gains. Teachers surveyed reported that an overwhelming majority of students attending the program for at least 60 days saw improvements in their academic performance (72 percent), participation in class (71 percent), and ability to persevere through challenges (66 percent), as well as their ability to form positive relationships with adults (70 percent) and work collaboratively with peers (68 percent).

Nebraska 21st Century Community Learning Centers Annual Report 2017-2018

A 2019 evaluation of Nebraska’s 21^st Century Community Learning Center (21^st CCLC) programs found that, based on teacher surveys, more than 2 out of 3 regularly participating students demonstrated moderate to significant gains in math (73 percent), reading (71 percent), science (71 percent), and writing (67 percent). Teachers also reported that regular participants improved their homework completion and class participation (65 percent), classroom behavior (60 percent), and peer relations (53 percent).

Arkansas 21st Century Community Learning Centers Statewide Evaluation: 2017-18 Annual Report

The 2019 evaluation by the David P. Weikart Center for Youth Program Quality of Arkansas’ 21^st Century Community Learning Center (21st CCLC) programs found that students regularly participating in the programs made positive academic and social and emotional gains. Students reported that the programs helped them improve their academic habits, such as following the rules (95 percent), and helped them with their social and emotional skills and competencies, including working well with others (91 percent) and sharing their thoughts even if they disagreed (89 percent). Additionally, among regular participants, 41 percent and 42 percent increased or remained in the advanced or proficient levels in reading and math, respectively.

Montana State Evaluation Report 21st Century Community Learning Centers: 2017-18 Annual Report

A 2019 evaluation of Montana’s 21st CCLC programs found that students participating in the programs made academic, behavioral, and social and emotional gains. Based on teacher reports, 95 percent of students participating in the programs maintained or improved their academic performance, and a majority of students improved their class participation (62 percent), homework completion (59 percent), and conflict resolution skills (59 percent). Overall, 98 percent of program participants advanced to the next grade level or graduated on time. Both students and parents reported overall positive perceptions of the program’s impact on engagement in learning.

New Mexico 21st Century Community Learning Centers FY2019 Evaluation Report

A 2019 evaluation of New Mexico’s 21st Century Community Learning Center (21^st CCLC) programs by the New Mexico Public Education Department found that the programs had a positive impact on students’ academic achievement. Among the students in the programs, 29 percent raised their grade by a full letter grade by the end of the school year and 49 percent of students who earned below a passing grade raised their grade by the end of the year. Additionally, 66 percent of students who earned a passing grade in the first grading period maintained their grade throughout the year. There was a high level of satisfaction of New Mexico’s 21st CCLC programs, where, 95 percent of students, family, and staff surveyed agreed that the program was of high quality. 

21st Century Community Learning Centers Statewide Evaluation Report 2017-2018 (Vermont)

A 2019 evaluation of Vermont’s 21^st Century Community Learning Center (21^st CCLC) programs found that the programs have many strengths and aspects in which they improved in their four goal areas: access and equity, quality programming, program leadership, and project sustainability. Further, students participating in programs reported a positive experience. When asked their feelings about the programs, 7 in 10 students reported that they feel like they belong (70 percent) and that they matter (69 percent) in the program. More than half of students responded that they feel challenged in a good way (52 percent) and that the activities are important to them (51 percent).

Washington 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program Evaluation 2017-18 Program Year

This 2019 evaluation of Washington’s 21^st Century Community Learning Centers program found that students who consistently attended programs had a higher percentage of credits earned, cumulative GPA, and a lower number of school day absences and disciplinary incidents compared to non-attendees. Additionally, most students reported that it was completely or mostly true that the program helped them improve their academic behavior (81 percent) and self-management skills (77 percent). Students who regularly attended programming for two years had statistically significant higher reading and math test scores, lower school day absences, and a higher percentage of credits earned compared to students who did not attend at these levels. This finding suggests the importance of regular and continued program participation. 

2017-18 North Carolina 21st CCLC Program State-Level Progress Monitoring Report Cohort 11 and 12 Grantees

This 2019 statewide evaluation of North Carolina’s 21^st Century Community Learning Center (21^st CCLC) programs found that based on teachers surveyed, students regularly participating in 21^st CCLC programs saw improvements in their classroom performance and behavior. Approximately 5 in 6 elementary (84 percent), middle (86 percent), and high school (88 percent) students improved their homework completion and class participation. A majority of elementary (68 percent), middle (74 percent), and high school (84 percent) students also improved their behavior. 

21st Century Community Learning Centers Program Fiscal Year 2018 Year End Report (Massachusetts)

A statewide evaluation of Massachusetts’s 21^st Century Community Learning Centers (21^st CCLC) program during the 2017-18 program year found that, based on teacher ratings, program participants made gains in math and reading/English language arts achievement. Teachers and program staff also noted increases in outcomes including students’ critical thinking skills, perseverance, and communication. English language learners, students receiving special education services, and economically disadvantaged students made particularly strong gains for certain outcomes.