U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee Announces Legislation for Afterschool Programming

U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee announced new legislation to be introduced in Congress that could invest in afterschool programs in Flint, Saginaw, Bay City as well as other cities across the U.S.

The programs are intended to provide a safe space for kids after school and to help increase opportunity for children both in and out of the classroom. Kildee, who made the announcement in Flint, said "afterschool programs work, leading to higher grades, better school attendance and better behavior among kids in Flint, Saginaw and Bay City. Not only do afterschool programs help compliment a child's classroom curriculum, they help keep kids out of trouble after the school day ends by providing a constructive place for them to grow and learn."

Kildee's legislation, entitled the Afterschool for America's Children Act, would:

• Invest in successful 21st Century Community Learning Center programs
• Increase flexibility for states to tailor their afterschool activities toward non-traditional programs such as STEM education, health, fitness, art and music
• Expand afterschool programming from simply preparing students for a standardized test to providing children with a safe and constructive environment.
• Establish rigorous state-based reviews to improve the quality of afterschool programs and ensure that funding is maximizing a child's education

Congressman Kildee will introduce the bill on February 24th when Congress is back in session.