US govt announces 2024 Engage Every Student Recognition Program Champions

The announcement came ahead of 2024 Engage Every Student Summit on July 1, which the US Education Department is planning to host in Washington D.C. The Summit will convene state and city elected officials; afterschool and summer learning program providers; youth, state, and local school leaders; and advocates.

The U.S. Department of Education recently announced the 2024 U.S. Engage Every Student Recognition Program Champions. Under this, 13 non-profit organizations and city municipalities, working in partnership with local schools, are being honoured for summer learning programs for students and their efforts to expand access to high-quality afterschool.

In its inaugural year, the school received 57 nominations from 29 states. All these nominations were reviewed by state-level review teams which included state educational agencies, and 50 state afterschool networks and state finalists were recommended to the Department for final review and consideration.

“This year’s Engage Every Student Champions are leading the charge in their local communities and states to ensure that all students nationwide have the opportunity to thrive, learn, and grow through their engagement in high-quality afterschool and summer learning programs. Thanks to President Biden’s American Rescue Plan, these awardees include a range of organizations all across the country, with nearly half located in under-resourced or rural communities. Every child deserves the opportunities for out-of-school time enrichment these programs provide," said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona.

Areas in which nominees demonstrated excellence

Following are the areas in which nominees showed eligibility and excellence:

Leveraging American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds and state and local funds to expand access to afterschool and summer learning programs for students.

Serving students who attend schools with 40% or more students qualifying for the free and reduced lunch program at the beginning of the 2023-24 SY;

Increasing their programmatic enrollment number of K-12 students from school year (SY) 2022-23 to SY 2023-24 by a minimum of 20%;

Employing evidence-based approaches, including but not limited to having certified teachers delivering the academic instruction and tutoring; prioritizing students needing additional support; and engaging students in experiential learning that could include project-based learning, enrichment, career pathways, and field trips;

Champions List of 2024 Engage Every Student Recognition Program

The following are the champions:

1. NJ – Fair Lawn – iLearn Schools in partnership with North Jersey Arts and Science Charter Schools and Linden Public School District, Category: Non-Profit
2. OH – Youngstown – Ohio Urban Renaissance in partnership with Youngstown City School District, Category: Non-Profit
3. OR – Canby – Todos Juntos in partnership with Canby School District, Estacada School District and Molalla School District, Category: Non-Profit
4. SC – Florence and Lake City – Boys & Girls Club of the Pee Dee Area in partnership with Florence 1 Schools and Florence County School District No. 3, Category: Non-Profit
5. SD – Sturgis – Black Hills Special Services Cooperative in partnership with Rapid City Area School District, Category: City Municipality
6. IL – Springfield – Compass For Kids, Inc. in partnership with Springfield Public Schools – District 186, Category: Non-Profit
7. MD – Baltimore – Arts For Learning Maryland in partnership with Baltimore City Public Schools, Category: Non-Profit
8. MS – Ridgeland – Scientific Research, SR1, in partnership with Forest Municipal School District, Category: Non-Profit
9. NE – Lincoln – Lincoln Community Learning Centers in partnership with Lincoln Public Schools, Category: City Municipality
10. NH – Nashua – YMCA of Greater Nashua in partnership with Nashua School District, Category: Non-Profit
11. CT – Litchfield – Ed Advance BASES in partnership with Torrington School District, Category: Non-Profit
12. GA – Atlanta – Camp Twin Lakes in partnership with Hall County School System, Category: Non-Profit
13. ID – Idaho Falls – Community Youth in Action in partnership with Idaho Falls School District 91 and Booneville School District 93, Category: Non-Profit

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