New Mexico Public Education Department: After School and Summer Enrichment Program

The New Mexico Public Education Department (PED), Coordinated School Health & Wellness Bureau (CSHWB), requests applications from New Mexico public schools, including state charter schools, for the implementation of quality after school and summer enrichment programs that address literacy in an effort to close the achievement gap within and between schools. These programs include up to four of the following components: 1) academic enrichment, 2) physical activity, 3) nutrition education, and 4) Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) and/or English Language Arts (ELA) initiatives and activities. Student transportation costs may be requested if need is identified.

The goal of the quality after school and summer enrichment program is to promote and support critical thinking and collaborative techniques that allow students to successfully develop academic skills, pursue useful knowledge, and develop healthy habits. A quality after school and/or summer program provides safe, structured environments for students outside of the regular school day through extended learning. Such programs are housed in schools and are often staffed with both school and community-based personnel. A quality after school and/or summer program clearly connects with district/school efforts around Common Core State Standards for the purpose of closing the achievement gap.

Quality enrichment components are detailed below:

• Academic enrichment: a quality component includes multiple aspects of cultural and educational improvements and skill building. Types of programs/activities involved can include, but are not limited to: reading and math skill reinforcement, learning through movement/exploration, performing arts, biology, geology, artistry, civic involvement, service learning, etc. Project-based learning is strongly recommended but not required.
• Physical activity: a quality component includes programs/activities that follow the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) physical activity guidelines for children. Three distinguishable traits are: 1) activities are intended to be voluntary in nature (e.g., the student has a choice of activities); 2) every student is given an equal opportunity to participate regardless of physical ability; and 3) students have the opportunity to be involved in the planning, organization and administration of activities.
• Nutritional education: a quality component includes activities that educate students about healthy foods and follow the Dietary Guidelines for Healthy Children. Quality Nutrition Education should focus on healthy eating and the following recommendations of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans by the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health and Human Services.
• STEM and/or ELA: a quality component will provide students with opportunities to focus on project-based learning that is centered on one or both of these disciplines. The projects may be semester-long experiences culminating in a display of knowledge or they may be shorter projects with multiple projects completed throughout the semester. Examples include attending a play with students and then helping students to stage their own play or exploring energy via field trips.

Amount: Proposals for programs that address:

• One of the above components are eligible to apply for Tier 1 funding ranging from $1,000 to $15,000
• Two or three of the components above are eligible to apply for Tier 2 funding ranging from $1,000 to $40,000
• All four of the components of quality afterschool program are eligible to apply for Tier 3 funding ranging from $1,000 to $50,000

Eligibility: School districts on behalf of one or more schools; local charter schools; and state charter schools.

Priority will be given to afterschool programs serving economically disadvantaged students. Priority in funding will first go to schools that either individually, or as part of a Community Eligibility Schools (CEP) grouping for the 2015-2016 school year, demonstrate 85% or greater free and reduced lunch populations as verified by the New Mexico Public Education Department’s CSHWB through the Student Teacher Accountability Reporting System (STARS). Schools that are unable to demonstrate 85% or greater free and reduced lunch populations, either individually or through CEP grouping, will be considered for funding should funds remain after scoring and approving applications for programs serving economically disadvantaged students.

Link: http://ped.state.nm.us/ped/rfps.html

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