Origins
The After School Education and Safety (ASES) Program is
the result of the 2002 voter approved initiative,
Proposition 49. This proposition amended California
Education Code 8482 to expand and rename the former
Before and After School Learning and Safe Neighborhood
Partnerships Program. The ASES Program funds the
establishment of local after school education and enrichment
programs. These programs are created through partnerships
between schools and local community resources to provide
literacy, academic enrichment and safe constructive
alternatives for students in kindergarten through ninth
grade. The Boys & Girls Club of San Leandro currently
runs 12 local programs. Funding is designed to: 1) maintain existing before
and after school program funding, and 2) provide eligibility
to all elementary and middle schools that submit quality
applications throughout California. The current funding
level for the ASES program is $121.6 million.
ASES Program funding may increase any year beyond FY 2004
that the State Budget is at least $1.5 billion over the
prior year budget. The amount beyond the $1.5 billion
increase becomes available to fund additional after school
programs consistent with the initiative. As defined in the
initiative, funding could increase up to $550 million for
this state program.
Purpose and Objectives
The ASES program provides an opportunity to merge school
reform strategies with community resources. The goal is to
support local efforts to improve assistance to students and
broaden the base of support for education in a safe,
constructive environment. It is the intent of ASES program
legislation to encourage schools and school districts to
provide safe and educationally enriching alternatives for
children and youth during non-school hours. The program
creates incentives for establishing locally driven before
and after school education and enrichment programs.
The ASES program involves collaboration among parents,
youth, representatives from schools and governmental
agencies, such as local law enforcement and local parks and
recreation departments, and individuals from community-based
organizations and the private sector. Programs are created
through partnerships between schools and local community
resources to provide literacy, academic enrichment, and
safe, constructive alternatives for students in grades K-9.
Program Elements
The ASES program must be aligned with, and not be a
repeat of, the content of regular school day and other
extended learning opportunities. A safe physical and
emotional environment, as well as opportunities for
relationship building, must be provided. After school
programs must consist of the two elements below. The Boys
& Girls Club of San Leandro
program leaders work closely with school site principals and
staff to integrate both elements with the school's
curriculum, instruction, and learning support activities.
- An educational and literacy element
must provide tutoring and/or homework assistance
designed to help students meet state standards in one or
more of the following core academic subjects:
reading/language arts, mathematics, history and social
studies, or science. A broad range of activities may be
implemented based on local student needs and interests.
- The educational enrichment element
must offer an array of additional services, programs,
and activities that reinforce and complement the
school’s academic program. Educational enrichment may
include but is not limited to, positive youth
development strategies, recreation and prevention
activities. Such activities might involve the visual and
performing arts, music, physical activity,
health/nutrition promotion, and general recreation;
career awareness and work preparation activities;
community service-learning; and other youth development
activities based on student needs and interests.
Enrichment activities may be designed to enhance the
core curriculum.
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