FAQS

ACE FAQs
 
 
To read commonly asked questions specific to Grantees and ACE Centers, Students and Families, or Schools and Community Partners, click on the appropriate link below:
 
 
 
 
Below is a list of general questions commonly asked about ACE.
 
 
Q. What is ACE?
 
A. The Texas Afterschool Centers on Education™ (ACETM) is administered by Texas Education Agency (TEA) and funded by the 21st CCLC Program administered by the US Department of Education. ACE offers activities based on a Four-Component Activity Guide which includes academic assistance, enrichment, family and parental support, and college and career readiness. These activities are available to students and their families during non-school hours (before or after school) or periods when school is not in session (including holidays, weekends, and summer recess).
 
ACE is available for students, whose school has been classified as having high need, high poverty level, and/or low academic performance, providing them the opportunity to participate in academic learning and enrichment activities in a safe environment. It provides innovative and interactive activities that teach students and their families alternative methods for learning academic concepts, managing social and family situations, and preparing for college or employment.
 
 
Q. What are the objectives and goals for ACE?
 
A. Each ACE program strives to improve student performance in the following five areas:

·         Academics
·         Attendance
·         Behavior
·         Promotion rates
·         Graduation rates
To achieve these goals and ensure excellence, TEA’s Department of State Initiatives, Division of Programs for At-Risk Youth has identified “critical success factors” and “milestones”. Critical success factors reflect behavioral changes that must be demonstrated by students enrolled in the program or by the adults working on their behalf. Milestones are key strategies that establish the foundation on which critical success factors are built.
TEA’s Critical Success Factors for ACE
·         Students’ active participation and engagement in learning
·         Students’ increased sense of involvement in school
·         Use of assessment data to revise/reevaluate student services
·         Implementation of strategies learned through training
TEA’s Milestones for ACE
·         Utilizing innovative instructional techniques for academic and enrichment activities
·         Providing adult advocates, based on student need and in accordance with best practices
·         Conducting ongoing/continuous student assessment to determine need
·         Providing training opportunities for staff development

 
Q. What are the unique benefits of ACE (compared to a typical afterschool program)?
 
A. ACE offers academic learning and enrichment activities that provide students and their families the guidance and knowledge needed to succeed. The academic learning activities are aligned with Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and customized to campuses’ needs, and districts’ curricula, offering students additional academic support. Innovative and creative instruction and activities expand on students' learning in ways that differ from the methods used during the school day. They are interactive and project focused, enhancing students’ education by bringing new concepts to light or by teaching old concepts in new ways. These activities are fun for students, but they also impart knowledge. They allow participants to apply knowledge and skills taught in school to real-life experiences.
 
The programs provided at ACE vary and consist of multiple scheduled activities in support of enhancing academic learning and life skills. Therefore, for students to fully benefit from ACE  they must exhibit ongoing and sustained participation to achieve the knowledge or skill meant to be imparted through participation in these multiple activities.
 
 
Q. What types of activities does ACE typically offer?
 
A. The objective of the activities is to facilitate learning through non-traditional teaching strategies in order for students to succeed in school and beyond. While ACE offers a variety of activities based on student and community needs, activities are developed within the framework outlined in the Four-Component Activity Guide and in accordance with the program requirements.
 
Allowable activities may include but not limited to the following activity types, which may be offered in each of the four components, as listed below:
 
·           Academic Assistance
These are services and activities that support all educational areas, as needed, to promote student achievement and success in their school experiences. Programs should create exciting intrinsic motivation to sustain constant student participation.
 
·           Enrichment
These are services and activities that provide positive social, cultural, recreational, interpersonal skills, health and wellness, and experiences to enrich and expand students' understanding of life and involvement in the community.
 
·           Family and Parental Support Services
These are services and activities that support and help to increase the participation of parents in the students' educational experiences.
 
 
·           College and Workforce Readiness
These are services and activities that promote workforce awareness, job and/or college readiness, skills training, preparation for the workforce, and assistance in the attainment of employment and/or funding for college.
 
 
Q. How does ACE impact students, parents, and the school?
 
A. Research shows that students who consistently participate in a structured afterschool program have:
 
·                Increased achievement in math, reading, and other academic subjects
·                Greater motivation and self-confidence
·                Improved school attendance
·                Higher level of achievement in college
 
 
 
NWREL-After-School Programs: Good for Kids, Good for Communities
 U.S. Department of Health & Human Services; U.S. Department of Labor; US Census Bureau; Urban Institute estimate, 2000
 Evaluation of Texas 21st Century Community Learning Centers: Annual Report 2006-07 (Education Innovations, LLC/Center for Research in Educational Policy and Learning Point Associate Consortium, April 2008)
 
 
 
Q. How can I help ACE?
 
A. Volunteers are key to the success of ACE. As adult advocates, they play a significant role in the lives of students. While ACE appreciates all levels of support, your time is invaluable. Children and their families benefit from you being a(n):
 
·                Mentor
·                Tutor
·                Activity presenter
·                Activity coordinator
·                Listener
·                Chaperone
·                Advocate for ACE and speak to others regarding its benefits to the community 
 
You can also donate supplies, food, and beverages, and other materials
 
 
Q. How much time do I need to commit to ACE?
 
A.  ACE recognizes the positive impact volunteers have on children and their families. While schedules can be hectic, spending one to three hours a week helping children or leading an activity has a lasting impression on everyone, including the volunteer. Offering your time for a few weeks, months, or the duration of the summer will have a positive impact not only on the student and his/her family, but also the community.