21ST century community learning centers program

The Department of Education Office of Elementary and Secondary Education awarded the Illinois State Board of Education $52.386 million in formula grant funding on July 1, 2026, under the Twenty-First Century Community Learning Centers program (CFDA 84.287).

The award supports establishment and expansion of community learning centers that provide academic enrichment activities for students, particularly those attending high-poverty and low-performing schools. The program funds literacy and other educational services to families of participating children and helps students meet state and local academic achievement standards in core subjects including reading and math through a broad array of enrichment activities that complement regular academic programs.

The Illinois State Board of Education, the state educational agency, administers this formula grant with place of performance in Springfield, Illinois. The award covers the period from July 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. As a state educational agency, ISBE distributes sub-awards to local educational agencies, community-based organizations, and other public or private entities throughout Illinois to directly implement the federally-funded program while maintaining oversight and compliance responsibilities.