ANSWER:

Currently, MCPS allocates $416,912 to support after-school and summer academic programs in all middle schools to provide mathematics; literacy; science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM); and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) support.  Schools are permitted to allocate funding for either after-school programs, summer programs, or a combination of both.  Funding is determined based on the Free and Reduced-price Meals System (FARMS) services rate so that schools with greater needs are allocated additional funds.

These funds provide schools with professional part-time staffing, stipends, instructional materials, program supplies, and contractual services, including funding for the Naviance program. School staff determines how often these programs are scheduled, which typically occurs twice per week during the school year or daily during a three-week period during the summer.  These programs are available to middle school ESOL students and other students who are not on grade level, who are in need of additional instructional supports.  Attached is a list of middle schools currently utilizing these resources to provide after-school programs for their students. It is important to note that other schools used their funding for summer programs, based on local school needs.

The cost for additional programs in schools would be similar to the current program costs.  For example, the cost of adding an academic program twice per week for one hour would be $4,686.  It should be noted that because these are academic programs, the cost is based on a teacher hourly salary and not the extracurricular rate of pay per Montgomery County Education Association contract.