Government Should Stay Out of Afterschool Care

摘要

The Movement to lengthen the school day with afterschool programs has support from Democrats and Republicans. Pres. Clinton enthusiastically endorsed them in his 2000 State of the Union Address, saying, "Let's double our investment in afterschool and summer school programs, which boost achievement and keep people off the streets and out of trouble." The centerpiece of the Administration's proposal is $1,000,000,000 to expand the 21st Century Community Learning Center program, currently funded at $400,000,000. Republican leaders have also embraced increased spending on afterschool programs. When he was a gubernatorial candidate in Texas, George W. Bush proposed spending $25,000,000 to provide afterschool programs in that state. As the Republican nominee for president, he has called for a greater Federal role in education and support of "Federal youth programs."