Credit Recovery

Credit Recovery may only be part of a 21st Century Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program if included and authorized specifically in the grant application. Please see the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s 21st CCLC webpage for RFA/IFA details and availability.

When 21st CCLC grant applicants are considering Credit Recovery the following should be considered:

  • 21st CCLC may not supplant another credit recovery program. Many schools already have credit recovery programs so if the school day plan can be supplemented with school administration cooperation, it would need to involve different students, different courses, and designated additional hours and all with prior PDE approval.
  • Establishment of an afterschool credit recovery program depends upon total school administration involvement and approval, so that credits earned are accepted for school day.
  • 21st CCLC attendance goals cannot be met unless credit recovery is only a small percentage of overall approved grant numbers. Students only sign-up for credit recovery when they need it. For example, during the fall term students do not yet know they have failed and therefore, will not participate in credit recovery.
  • The 21st CCLC program should be packaged so that students who come initially for credit recovery, continue to attend other academic enrichment components afterwards.
  • Students whose circumstances have caused initial failure in courses may or may not be able to attend the 21st CCLC program consistently and satisfy attendance expectations.
  • 21st CCLC credit recovery may not be 100% virtual curriculum but must be blended with, at the minimum, some physical teacher interaction and supervision.

The resources provided deal with certain practices that may not be applicable to 21st CCLC. If you are unsure if a recommended practice is permissible, please contact your program officer at the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

Research into Practice – Credit Recovery Overview