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Congressman Dan Kildee Successfully Protects Michigan Afterschool Programs with Passage of New Education Bill

December 3, 2015

Bipartisan Education Bill Contains Kildee-Sponsored Provisions Protecting Funding for Successful Afterschool Programs

Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05) today praised the passage of a major education bill in the U.S. House of Representatives that protects critical funding for afterschool programs in Michigan and around the nation. S. 1177, a bipartisan education reform bill containing provisions Congressman Kildee fought for, will protect funding for afterschool programs in cities across Michigan and the U.S.

"There is no greater investment we can make than in our children and their future. Afterschool programs work – they lead to higher grades, better school attendance and better behavior among kids," Congressman Kildee said. "I am glad both Democrats and Republicans joined together to pass this bill. While this bill is not perfect, its continued support for afterschool programs in cities like Flint, Saginaw and Bay City is critical for hardworking families."

The reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), passed late Wednesday by 359-64, is the largest reform of national education policy since the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. After Senate passage of the bill, it will go to the President's desk, where he is expected to sign it into law. Among its provisions, the bill sets aside dedicated funding for before and after school as well as summer recess extra-curricular programs. These programs, in areas such as music, sports, and drug prevention, provide an outlet for mid-Michigan youth outside of the classroom so they may become better students. The ESEA also will find new efficiencies in afterschool programs to increase their value to students and protects the programs' continued existence by preventing the funding from being diverted to other unrelated programs.

Congressman Kildee has been a champion for afterschool programs in Congress. The original House version of the ESEA, introduced in February, eliminated funds entirely for afterschool programming from the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program (21st CLCC). However, on November 5, while the House and Senate versions of the ESEA were being reconciled in a Conference Committee, Congressman Kildee wrote a letter to negotiators asking them to restore the 21st CLCC and safeguard funding for afterschool programs. The final bill, which the House passed today, includes Congressman Kildee's request in its entirety.

"Rep. Dan Kildee has been a passionate champion for afterschool and summer learning programs in the House of Representatives," Afterschool Alliance Executive Director Jodi Grant said. "His leadership is a big reason the ESEA reauthorization bill that the House passed today preserves and strengthens 21st CCLC. The afterschool language in the conference bill is based on his bill, the Afterschool for America's Children Act. "Thanks to Congressman Kildee, more students will be safe and constructively engaged each afternoon; more parents will be able to hold jobs; more children from food-insecure families will get healthy meals and snacks; more girls and boys will be inspired by hands-on learning of science, technology, engineering and math; and more youth will get homework help, job and college preparation, and opportunities for physical activity, community service and more. The nation owes Rep. Kildee a debt of gratitude," Grant continued.

In February, Congressman Kildee reintroduced the Afterschool for America's Children Act, which furthers our nation's investment in afterschool programming through the 21st CCLC. He also partnered with Big Brothers Big Sisters to launch the mid-Michigan Mentoring Challenge, encouraging more local-area residents to become mentors for at-risk youth.

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Issues:Education