Supporting Effective Teaching in Tennessee: Executive Summary | Page 36

information about how they can promote learning and have
with at-risk students to plant a garden that grows food for
positive interactions with their children from birth to age five.78
local residents. Additionally, in partnership with the Tennessee
Families who have young children with
Department of Health, the Department
disabilities or developmental delays can
of Education operates the Coordinated
choose to participate in the Tennessee
School Health (CSH) program. The
Early Intervention System (TEIS).
key aspect of the program is ensuring all
TEIS professionals meet one-on-one
students receive the appropriate health
T h ere is a n ee d to
with parents to help them understand
screenings. Since CSH was first piloted in
appropriate learning strategies for their
2001, 104,532 students have been referred
s u pport st u d e n t
child given his or her special needs.79
to a healthcare provider as a result of school
health screenings. Today, 135 school
l e a r n i n g t h ro u g h o u t
The state also has initiatives that focus on
systems have implemented CSH, with 87
early intervention for students who have
percent of them having implemented it
t h e e l e m e n ta ry a n d
difficulty reading. Tennessee received a
district-wide.83
federal grant for Reading First, the main
seco n da ry y e a rs
literacy component of NCLB, and 74
Evidence links after school programs to
schools across 22 districts now use the
student achievement gains as well as to
program to help students struggling
decreases in juvenile crime rates.84 Tennessee
o u tsi d e o f t h e
with reading in kindergarten through
has received federal grants to establish 21st
third grade.80 Also targeting reading
Century Community Learning Centers
re g u l a r sc h oo l day.
concerns is Even Start (ES), which
(CCLC), which provide enriching and
focuses on early childhood learning,
diverse educational opportunities during
parent education, and adult literacy. ES
non-school hours. Program funds are
projects, which are coordinated locally,
given to local communities and directed
are required to operate throughout the
towards students who attend high-poverty
year so that academic gains can be sustained over the summer.
and/or low-performing schools. Grants are awarded to projects
ES personnel visit participating families in their homes for at
in the amounts of $50,000 to $110,000 per site over a minimum
least one hour every month to deepen family’s commitment
three-year period.85
to and participation in the program, which primarily involves
parents reading to their children.81
Additional after school educational opportunities are made
possible through the Lottery for Education Afterschool
Program (LEAP). Funded by lottery profits, LEAP allocates
Additional Education Supports
funding to public and non-profit organizations’ after school
While early childhood programs aim to foster learning prior to
initiatives.86 LEAP closely resembles CLCC with a few
a child’s enrollment in the formal school system, there is also
important differences. Whereas a school must have at least 40
a need to support student learning throughout the elementary
percent of its students on free and reduced lunch to be eligible
and secondary years outside of the regular school day. Programs
for CCLC programs, the LEAP programs require that at least
that support the creation of a positive and healthy community
50 percent of students enrolled in the LEAP program itself
environment and programs that provide after school and
(not the school) be at-risk. CCLCs also have more flexibility in
summer learning opportunities can be particularly beneficial.
the services they offer. While CLCCs must have an academic
Tennessee has implemented several such programs.
component, they can provide any of 15 other services. LEAP
programs, on the other hand, are required to offer 15 hours
Authorized by state legislation in 1993, many local school
of specific services per week including homework assistance,
districts have established Family Resource Centers (FRCs), which
tutoring or mentoring, a physical fitness or health component,
serve as a support network for at-risk students in communities
reading/language arts, and math or science. Also, CCLCs
affected by family abuse, neighborhood violence, and overall
are funded through federal grants while LEAP programs are
poverty. Acting as an external support to schools, 104 FRCs have
funded exclusively through unclaimed state lottery winnings.
been established in 82 school districts across the state.82 FRCs,
One Family Resource Center in Loudon County is also a LEAP
which often partner with local non-profits, have the flexibility
grantee. Although Coordinated School Health programs
generally do not apply for LEAP grants, many LEAP grantees
to develop programs that meet the need of at-risk students in
partner with CSH programs.87
each community. For example, one FRC in Nashville is working
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