After- or Extended-School Programs
After school, before school and summer programs - also called "out of school time", or OST - provide supplemental assistance to help student build a foundation in reading and math and connect high school to career and college. Activities include one-on-one mentor programs, tutoring, academic enrichment, the arts, physical activity, hands-on learning, and family engagement. These programs provide high-quality academic enrichment and other activities designed to increase students' overall and academic success. The largest dedicated fund source for programs in Texas is the federally-funded 21st Century Community Learning Centers program, also called Texas Afterschool Centers on Education, or Texas ACE.
For districts looking for more information on how to stack funding to make additional programming more affordable, check out the Summer Learning Program Budgeting Guidance.
The Expanded Learning Opportunities Council (ELO Council) was established by the 83rd Texas Legislature, Senate Bill 503 and codified in the Texas Education Code Chapter §33.251-260. This legislation authorizes the ELO Council to study issues concerning expanded learning opportunities for Texas' public school students and report related recommendations to the Texas Legislature on a biennial basis. Reports submitted can be accessed on the TEA Legislative Reports webpage under even numbered years starting in 2016.