Introduction

The After School Education and Safety Program (ASESP) is the result of the 2002 voter approved initiative, Proposition 49. This proposition amends California Education Code 8482, to expand and rename the existing Before and After School Learning and Safe Neighborhood Partnerships Program. The ASESP funds the establishment of local after school education and enrichment programs. These programs are created through partnerships between schools and local community resources to provide literacy, academic enrichment and safe constructive alternatives for students in kindergarten through ninth grade. The increased funding is designed to: 1) maintain existing before and after school program funding, and 2) provide eligibility to all elementary and middle schools that submit quality applications.

Purpose and Objective

It is the intent of the Legislation to encourage schools and school districts to provide safe and educationally enriching alternatives for children and youth during non-school hours. The program creates incentives for establishing locally driven before and after school education and enrichment programs. In addition to continuing the provision of existing programs, the ASESP adds the following components: local law enforcement must be included as part of the local collaborative; computer training, fine arts and physical fitness may be included as enrichment activities; and programs may be in locations other than school sites. New funding will begin in fiscal year 2004-2005 at the earliest, and then only if state general fund spending for the year other than spending guaranteed for education under Proposition 98 is $1.5 billion higher than the highest spending level for any previous year since 2000. If this trigger is not met in fiscal year 2004-2005, the funding will begin in the first subsequent year that the state budget increases to that extent.

For more information, please e-mail the After School Education and Safety Program or call (916) 319-0923.