County gets grant for after-school programs

More than $380,000 has been awarded to Potter County to operate after-school programs for "at-risk" youth.

Students in grades six through eight and, in some cases, parents and guardians will be involved in the programs. Funds from the Pa. Dept. of Education, at $128,000 per year, will cover three years and start in the Galeton, Oswayo Valley and Northern Potter school districts.

Those districts were chosen based on most recent results of standardized tests showing that the three districts failed to achieve "adequate yearly progress" in raising test scores.

County officials said an extension of the program for two more years, potentially in other districts, is possible.

Potter County Education Council, Charles Cole Memorial Hospital and Penn State University are also involved in the after-school programs.

Goals of the program are to help students meet standards in core academic subjects, such as reading and math; to offer a broad array of enrichment activities that can complement academic programs;

and to make available literacy and other educational services.