Afterschool and Expanded Learning Time
Schools across Minnesota have cut their afterschool programs, and those that remain often have expensive "activity fees" that many families cannot afford. Senator Franken believes that participating in enriching afterschool activities like sports, music, and drama is essential for kids to develop into well-rounded students.
Children learn skills in these programs that they often do not learn in the classroom. Moreover, afterschool or expanded learning time programs keep children safe and occupied in the hours before their parents come home from work. That's why Senator Franken cosponsored S. 1281, the Investment in After-School Programs Act, which would provide funding to increase the number of rural afterschool programs, and S. 2785, the ASPIRE Act, which would provide funding for middle and high school afterschool programs.
