§ 16-7.1-17. Urban after-school programs. (a) There is hereby established an after-school program for middle schools and junior and senior high schools to be administered by the department of elementary and secondary education.

(b) Each district receiving targeted funds under this section must use a portion of these funds to establish programs as defined in this section at the middle or junior high school level and may establish a program at the senior high school level. Each program shall be located in or near middle schools or junior or senior high schools in school districts identified as "at risk" by the legislature in accordance with § 16-7.1-16 and which have an equity index below one. The purpose of the programs is to provide students an opportunity to engage in a gainful activity, such as an athletic, cultural, arts, academic, community service, remediation, and/or career exploration activity after-school or during the time the schools are not in session. Districts may contract for services with programs that meet board of regents standards. The commissioner may require that districts that receive targeted funds establish these programs either district-wide or at an individual school within the district. Nothing contained in this section shall prevent the commissioner from interpreting middle or junior high school to mean middle or junior high school age.

(c) The department of elementary and secondary education is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations for the administration and monitoring of the programs for providing any assistance to plan and design the programs, and for annually performing an evaluation of the overall quality of the after-school programs. Qualifying school districts will be required to submit a plan and other reports as may be requested relating to the use of the after-school program funds to the commissioner of elementary and secondary education.

History of Section. (P.L. 1998, ch. 31, art. 31, § 3; P.L. 1998, ch. 383, § 1.)