21st Century is a program that focuses on reading, math and science to offer students in small group setting an opportunity to strengthen their weakness to promote success and higher student achievement. While 21st Century enhances academia, it too embodies an enrichment component where students can learn team building and self discipline.

What are supplemental educational services?
Generally, supplemental educational services (SES) are free tutoring services that must be offered to low-income children who attend a Title I school that fails to make progress for three years (in its second year of “school improvement status”).

Low-income students are generally those who are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch.

These services offer students extra help in academic subjects such as reading, language arts, and mathematics. SES services are provided outside the regular school day—before or after school, on weekends, or in the summer.

Note: Title I schools that do not make adequate yearly progress for two years in a row must offer students the opportunity to transfer to a better-performing public school. For information about this school choice option, visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website.

Who can get SES?

Low income students, generally those who receive free or reduced-price lunch, who attend Title I schools that have not made adequate yearly progress for at least three years are eligible for free tutoring services.

As part of the No Child Left Behind Act, states are required to set definitions of adequate yearly progress (AYP), the minimum performance that districts and schools must reach every year on state achievement tests. Title I schools that don’t make AYP for at least three years must offer SES to students. Schools must continue to offer SES to their students until the school shows adequate yearly progress for two years in a row. If the demand for SES exceeds available funds, districts may give priority to the lowest achieving eligible students.

School districts are required to tell families whether their children are eligible for SES. Families can also find out whether a child is eligible by contacting the school principal, school district, a local community group, or the U.S. Department of Education (toll-free at 1-800-872-5327). Please visit our page for Families for more information about how to find out whether a student is eligible for SES.

How does SES work?
Once a state has identified a school as “in need of improvement” for two or more years, the school district determines which students in that school are eligible for services. Then, the district notifies families of eligible students about their right to free tutoring. The district must also provide information about the local SES providers to help families select one and should allow families enough time to compare options and make informed choices.

If families ask for assistance, a district must help choose a provider. Once a family chooses a provider, the district enters into a contract with the provider. The district pays the provider for tutoring services. If more eligible families demand SES than existing funds can support, districts must give priority to the lowest-achieving students.

Each state develops a list of potential SES providers. To get on this list, providers must be approved by the state. States choose providers that can offer tutoring programs in line with state standards and that offer high-quality, research-based tutoring.