Introduced Version





SENATE RESOLUTION No. ___




DIGEST OF INTRODUCED RESOLUTION


     A SENATE RESOLUTION supporting Indiana's out-of-school time programs, and the positive impact of Indiana's 21st Century Community Learning Centers.



KRUSE




     , read first time and referred to Committee on








Introduced

First Regular Session 117th General Assembly (2011)


SENATE RESOLUTION


     MADAM PRESIDENT:

    I offer the following resolution and move its adoption:

    A SENATE RESOLUTION supporting Indiana's out-of-school time programs, and the positive impact of Indiana's 21st Century Community Learning Centers.

     Whereas, On a daily basis, 30 percent of Indiana's K-12 youth, a staggering 332,642 children, are left unattended after school hours;

    Whereas, Only 10 percent of Indiana's K-12 youth, or 112,379 children, are served by after school programs;

    Whereas, The unemployment rate for high school dropouts is 15.4 percent, compared to 9.4 percent for high school graduates and 4.7 percent for college graduates;

    Whereas, Between the hours of 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., when children are out of school and parents are still at work, children are left unsupervised and are most at risk for juvenile crime, substance abuse, and teenage pregnancy. After school programs have a proven record of keeping children safe;


    Whereas, Communities across our state have utilized Indiana's 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) to create opportunities to establish or expand community learning centers that provide students, particularly students in high-poverty, low-performing schools, with academic enrichment opportunities to meet state and local student performance standards in core academic subjects such as reading and mathematics along with activities designed to complement the students' regular academic program;

    Whereas, Indiana's 21st Century Community Learning Centers offer quality after school and summer programs that keep children safe, improve student outcomes, and help working families. Nearly 20,000 children in Indiana benefit from these programs each year, and research shows that these programs help boost academic achievement, attendance, and positive behavioral development among participating students; and

    Whereas, The Indiana Senate commends the work of Indiana's 21st Century Community Learning Centers and their employees in providing children with a safe and stimulating environment in the hours beyond the traditional school day. These after school programs provide an invaluable service to Indiana's children, families, and our communities. Indiana's working families benefit from the support of 21st Century Community Learning Centers, and the safe and comfortable environments that they provide for our children, and schools benefit from the support to increase the academic performance necessary to meet the growing challenges of preparing a 21st Century workforce: Therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate of the

General Assembly of the State of Indiana:


    SECTION 1. The Indiana Senate acknowledges the importance of Indiana's 21st Century Community Learning Centers and supports their positive contributions in communities across the state.
    SECTION 2. The Indiana Senate supports after school programming and the positive role that 21st Century Community Learning Centers play throughout Indiana's many communities.
    SECTION 3. The Secretary of the Senate is hereby directed to transmit a copy of this Resolution to the Indiana Congressional delegation.