After-school programs face severe cuts by feds

By Emily Richmond (contact)

Monday, March 17, 2003 | 11:11 a.m.

Thousands of Clark County children may be turned away from after-school enrichment programs next year because of deep cuts in federal funds, a possibility one educator called "an outrageous mistake."

Bush administration officials say a recent study shows the after-school programs have not improved either student performance or behavior. But supporters say the study was flawed and did not take into account the full scope of the programs.

Under Bush's proposed budget cuts, Nevada stands to lose more than $2 million in federal funds currently allotted for after-school programs, said Judy Samelson, executive director of the Afterschool Alliance, a nationwide advocacy group.

The proposed cut of $400 million nationwide is enough to serve 1.6 million children, according to the Afterschool Alliance.

"These programs are incredibly needed," Samelson said. "By cutting the programs we're throwing kids out on the street with nothing to do. How does that help our children?"

Nevada received $4.9 million this year to provide after-school services to 7,100 children statewide. Next year's proposed allocation would cut the number nearly in half.

Clark County received about $1 million for six 21st Century Community Learning Centers, which provide homework help, field trips, arts and crafts and science programs, Susan Bonar, director of the program for the school district, said.

The centers currently serve about 3,500 children attending at-risk Clark County schools.

The prospect of having to turn children away is frustrating, Bonar said.

"This is an utter betrayal of Bush's promise to leave no child behind and support working families," Bonar said.

"If Congress approves the president's budget cuts, most Nevada programs will have little or no hope of federal funding, and many will be forced to shut their doors."

Teachers report that their students who participate in the programs show steady gains in attendance, classroom behavior and overall achievement, Bonar said.

The learning centers also help reinforce daily classroom lessons. At Sunrise Acres Elementary School more than 100 first graders gathered Friday for an hour of activities designed to boost their reading skills.

"We need to invest more in our kids and give them safe places where they can learn and grow," Bonar said. "Cutting funds for after-school programs is short-sighted and counter-productive."

In addition to helping them become better students, the centers may be keeping children safe, studies show.

Research shows juvenile crime rates spike between the hours of 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. That's usually when children are left unsupervised after school but before their parents come home from work, Samelson said.

To address the risk, the learning centers were established by the U.S. Education Department as a collaboration between schools, child welfare agencies, law enforcement and business leaders, Samelson said.

"There are so many benefits to these types of programs on every level," Samelson said. "No one wants kids out there with too much time on their hands."