21st CCLC Century Community Learning Centers NTAC National Technical Assistance Center -

EXTERNAL RESOURCE LIBRARY

Here you’ll find free resources from government agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and others in the field, curated by our team with 21st CCLC professionals in mind. The external resource library includes videos, web pages, publications, and more to help you learn about and implement evidence-based strategies and best practices. All were screened for their relevance to out-of-school time, and many are specific to 21st CCLC programs.

Featured External Resources

Looking for a resource in one of these 21st CCLC NTAC priority areas? Select each link to see a highlighted resource in that area.
Note: Selecting a link will take you to an external website.

Search External Resource Library

External Resource Library

Statutory and Programmatic

  • Source: U.S. Department of Education
  • Resource Type:
Academic Focus

  • Source: US Department of Education
  • Resource Type:
Support Students' Academic and Non-Academic Needs

  • Source: Youth Today
  • Resource Type:
Provide Access to Resources

  • Source: ceedar
  • Resource Type:
Capacity Building

  • Source: U.S. Department of Education
  • Resource Type:
Dual Language Immersion Project - Playbook

These playbooks provide a roadmap for the creation, design, and adoption of policies, processes, programs, and practices that State and local educational agencies, nonprofit organizations, families, and communities need to support and implement high-quality, effective, inclusive, and evidence-based dual language immersion programs.

  • Source: National Clearinghouse for English Language Acquisition
  • Resource Type: Best Practices, Evidence-Based Practices, Implementation Strategies
Behavioral Health Toolkit for Afterschool Programs

This guide provides resources to support students' behavioral health and well-being. It is a learning resource to deepen understanding of various challenges affecting youth today, including bullying and self-harm, as well as ways to identify and help youth cope with these issues. 
 

  • Source: Georgia Statewide Afterschool Network
  • Resource Type: Best Practices, Implementation Strategies
  • Year: 2022
Active learning: "Hands-on" meets "minds-on"

This article summarizes findings around active learning and its benefits for students of all ages. It includes insights into how and when various active learning approaches could be effective and engaging.
 

  • Source: Science
  • Resource Type: Research
  • Year: 2021
Developmental Assets Framework

Grounded in extensive research in youth development, resiliency, and prevention, this framework outlines 40 positive supports and strengths that young people need to succeed. Half of the assets are external, focusing on the relationships and opportunities they need in their families, schools, and communities. The other half are internal, focusing on the strengths, values, and commitments that are nurtured within young people. Out-of-school time programs can use this framework to assess how well they are providing the community-based relationships and opportunities and to assess what assets struggling students might be lacking.

  • Source: Search Institute
  • Resource Type: Research
  • Year: 2006
Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program (Title IV, Part B) Program Web Page

The U.S. Department of Education maintains this web page to provide information about the 21st CCLC program, including performance measures and reports; relevant legislation, regulations, and guidance; funding status and awards; eligibility; contact information for federal and State program leaders; and resources.

  • Source: U.S. Department of Education
  • Resource Type: Policy/Guidance Documents
The Impressive Effects of Tutoring on PreK-12 Learning: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Experimental Evidence

This paper offers an in-depth look at the efficacy of tutoring programs, both in the school setting and in out-of-school time programs, focusing on the effectiveness of four different types of tutors (teacher, paraprofessional, nonprofessional/volunteer, and parent).

  • Source: National Bureau of Economic Research
  • Resource Type: Evidence-Based Practices, Leadership and Management Practices, Research
  • Year: 2023
Investments in Student Recovery: A Review of School Districts’ Use of American Rescue Plan Funding to Support Afterschool and Summer Opportunities

This report includes insights about afterschool programs, trends, and recommendations for school districts, OST providers, advocates, and policymakers.

  • Source: Afterschool Alliance
  • Resource Type: Best Practices, Evidence-Based Practices, Leadership and Management Practices, Research
  • Year: 2023
Statutory and Programmatic

  • Source: U.S. Department of Education
  • Resource Type:
Academic Focus

  • Source: US Department of Education
  • Resource Type:
Support Students' Academic and Non-Academic Needs

  • Source: Youth Today
  • Resource Type:
Provide Access to Resources

  • Source: ceedar
  • Resource Type:
Capacity Building

  • Source: U.S. Department of Education
  • Resource Type:
Dual Language Immersion Project - Playbook

These playbooks provide a roadmap for the creation, design, and adoption of policies, processes, programs, and practices that State and local educational agencies, nonprofit organizations, families, and communities need to support and implement high-quality, effective, inclusive, and evidence-based dual language immersion programs.

  • Source: National Clearinghouse for English Language Acquisition
  • Resource Type: Best Practices, Evidence-Based Practices, Implementation Strategies
Behavioral Health Toolkit for Afterschool Programs

This guide provides resources to support students' behavioral health and well-being. It is a learning resource to deepen understanding of various challenges affecting youth today, including bullying and self-harm, as well as ways to identify and help youth cope with these issues. 
 

  • Source: Georgia Statewide Afterschool Network
  • Resource Type: Best Practices, Implementation Strategies
  • Year: 2022
Active learning: "Hands-on" meets "minds-on"

This article summarizes findings around active learning and its benefits for students of all ages. It includes insights into how and when various active learning approaches could be effective and engaging.
 

  • Source: Science
  • Resource Type: Research
  • Year: 2021
Developmental Assets Framework

Grounded in extensive research in youth development, resiliency, and prevention, this framework outlines 40 positive supports and strengths that young people need to succeed. Half of the assets are external, focusing on the relationships and opportunities they need in their families, schools, and communities. The other half are internal, focusing on the strengths, values, and commitments that are nurtured within young people. Out-of-school time programs can use this framework to assess how well they are providing the community-based relationships and opportunities and to assess what assets struggling students might be lacking.

  • Source: Search Institute
  • Resource Type: Research
  • Year: 2006
Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program (Title IV, Part B) Program Web Page

The U.S. Department of Education maintains this web page to provide information about the 21st CCLC program, including performance measures and reports; relevant legislation, regulations, and guidance; funding status and awards; eligibility; contact information for federal and State program leaders; and resources.

  • Source: U.S. Department of Education
  • Resource Type: Policy/Guidance Documents
The Impressive Effects of Tutoring on PreK-12 Learning: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Experimental Evidence

This paper offers an in-depth look at the efficacy of tutoring programs, both in the school setting and in out-of-school time programs, focusing on the effectiveness of four different types of tutors (teacher, paraprofessional, nonprofessional/volunteer, and parent).

  • Source: National Bureau of Economic Research
  • Resource Type: Evidence-Based Practices, Leadership and Management Practices, Research
  • Year: 2023
Investments in Student Recovery: A Review of School Districts’ Use of American Rescue Plan Funding to Support Afterschool and Summer Opportunities

This report includes insights about afterschool programs, trends, and recommendations for school districts, OST providers, advocates, and policymakers.

  • Source: Afterschool Alliance
  • Resource Type: Best Practices, Evidence-Based Practices, Leadership and Management Practices, Research
  • Year: 2023
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This resource was developed by the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) National Technical Assistance Center (NTAC), funded under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education (Department) and administered by Synergy Enterprises, Inc. under Cooperative Agreement No. 287E230009 with the Department’s Office of Elementary and Secondary Education. Opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the position or policy of the Department, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the Department or the Federal government. The 21st CCLC NTAC project officers are Dr. La' Shawndra Scroggins and Ms. Andrea Jackson.