The National Youth Advocacy and Resilience Research Center (NYAR Research Center) at Georgia Southern University received a state grant for almost $150,000 through the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) for program evaluation of Georgia’s federally funded P-20 programs.
P-20 programs, which align educational opportunities for students from pre-K through post-secondary education, support the creation of community learning centers that provide academic enrichment opportunities during non-school hours for children, particularly students who attend high-poverty and low-performing schools. The programs help students meet state and local academic standards in core academic subjects, such as reading and mathematics; offer students a broad array of enrichment activities that complement their regular academic programs; and offer literacy and other educational services to the families of participating children.
“Our project, ‘2024-2025, Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) Comprehensive Program Evaluation/CCLC Program Evaluation Initiatives,’ reflects our commitment to addressing critical programs to support academic enrichment opportunities during non-school hours for children,” said NYAR Research Center Co-Director Juliann Sergi McBrayer, Ed.D., from the College of Education (COE). “We look forward to collaborating with the GaDOE, our community partners and our research team as we continue to advance opportunities that support Georgia’s students.”
McBrayer and NYAR Research Center Co-Director Chad Posick, Ph.D., from the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, partnered with COE colleagues Kymberly Harris, Ph.D., Cynthia Massey, Ph.D., and Pamela Wells, Ph.D., as well undergraduate research assistant Cohen Kessler, for the project, which is currently underway.
