The Texas 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) grant programs at Ysleta Independent School District (YISD) are funded under a U.S. Department of Education initiative and administered by the Texas Education Agency (TEA). The project, which targets students in low-performing schools who are burdened by poverty, funds “community learning centers” that provide students with opportunities for academic enrichment and an array of additional services. These learning centers provide programming outside school hours: before the start of the school day, after school, and during summer. Helix Solutions has assessed the program’s outcomes—i.e., changes in academic, attendance, and behavioral performance indicators—utilizing data from YISD. Helix Solutions has also measured student satisfaction; determined school day teachers’ and parents’ perception of participant improvements; and conducted site visits in which a memorandum of findings was produced for each school observed. YISD contracted Helix Solutions to conduct the evaluation for Cycles 7, 8, and 9.
