Texas ACE

 

Program Overview

Texas ACE (Afterschool Centers on Education) provides no-cost afterschool and summer programs to approximately 130,000 K-12 students at Title I schools across the state. Funded through the Title IV, Part B -- Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) grant and administered by the Texas Education Agency, the program helps students thrive in and out of the classroom. 

Texas ACE helps students to "realize their potential to change the world" by offering" 

• Targeted academic support aligned with the school day, including high-impact tutoring;
• Student interest-based enrichment such as arts, sports, and service learning that builds both academic and nonacademic skills;
• College and career readiness activities that provide real-world learning experiences that strengthen skills like collaboration, communication, and creativity; and
• Family engagement opportunities that empower adjult family members to connect with their students and school communities.

Through competitively funded grants, Texas ACE operates more than 650 learning centers representing about 130 school districts in partnership with community-based organizations. Grantees meet rigorous participation and operation requirements while receiving ongoing one-on-one coaching to continually improve program quality and to ensure program compliance. 

Learn more about the requirements, goals, and TEA supports for Texas ACE grantees by viewing the Texas ACE Roadmap to High-Quality Out-of-School Time. 

Texas ACE grantees may also access training archives, resources, and local evaluation tools at MyTexasACE.org.

Program Evaluation and Outcomes

TEA evaluates the impact of Texas ACE through a rigorous ongoing state evaluation. State evaluations consistently show that when students meet minimum attendance expectations for Texas ACE, it positively impacts performance in reading, math, and CTE course completion, and lowers rates of chronic absenteeism.

Improvements in Reading and Math Performance: 

These results show promising evidence that students who consistently meet the Texas ACE attendance standard more often accelerate their learning from Did Not Meets to the Approaches performance band on STAAR Reading and STAAR Mathematics than other student groups. 

 

Improvements in Chronic Absenteeism: 

Texas ACE can contribute to a student's positive educational experience, greatly reducing chronic absenteeism. 

 

Improvement in College and Technical Education (CTE) Course Completion: 

In the 2022-2023 school year, Texas ACE participants with regular attendance saw a 5% higher CTE course passing rate than non-participants. This increased to a 6% higher passing rate for participants with regular attendance who previously failed STAAR compared to non-participants who had previously failed STAAR. 

 

Learn more about Texas ACE program results by reviewing the latest state evaluation at Out-of-School Learning Opportunities | Texas Education Agency. 

 

Become a Texas ACE Grantee

TEA typically runs a competition for Texas ACE every two-to-three years with grants historically awarded in five year cycles. Texas ACE is currently operating two cycles of the Nita M. Lowey 21st CCLC Grant, Cycle 11 and Cycle 12. Funding for new competitive Year 1 applications and Year 2-5 noncompetitive continuation applications is contingent upon satisfactory progress of prior year compliance with requirements, achievement of stated service and performance targets, general budget approval by the TEA, and appropriations by the United States Congress. 

• Previously awarded applications can be found at TEA Grants Awarded Data
• For more information on applying for a grant through TEA, visit the TEA Grants Administration page
• To view current applications for exisiting grantees, visit the TEA Grant Opportunities page and choose 21st CCLC from the dropdown menu to find guidelines, application due dates, and other information specific to the CCLC/Texas ACE application process

 

Partner with Texas ACE

In accordance with Title IV, Part B of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965, the Texas Education Agency provides a list of prescreened external organizations, as described under section 4203(a)(11), for the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers program.

TEA is collecting applications for the 2025-2026 Prescreened External Organizations list. This application is open to nonprofit organizations. 

To be considered for inclusion in the 2025-2026 Prescreened External Organizations list, complete the Prescreened Organizations Application by August 30th, 2025. 

Note that inclusion on the Prescreened External Organizations list does not constitute TEA's endorsement or approval of the quality of programs and services offered by an external organization. 

 

About CCLC

The US Department of Education 21st Century Community Learning Centers program is authorized by Title IV, Part B of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) of 2015. The program provides opportunities for communities to establish or expand activities that provide students attending low performing schools.

Participating students receive academic enrichment and other activities designed to reinforce and complement the regular academic program to help them meet state academic standards. The program also provides families  with active, meaningful engagement in their child's education and opportunities for adult literacy.