• Advocate Capitol News Bureau
• Published: Dec 3, 2008 - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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Some after-school programs in Baton Rouge and elsewhere will face new standards and oversight under a plan approved Tuesday by a committee of the state’s top school board.

• After School for All, which is intended to trim the number of out-of-wedlock births through tutoring, youth development and other steps.

• Community-based Tutoring Program, which offers academic enrichment, homework help and recreation.

• 21st Century Community Learning Centers, which include mentoring and opportunities in music, sports and cultural activities.

The programs served nearly 34,000 students in the past year, including 35 sites in East Baton Rouge Parish.

The state plans to spend about $28 million on the classes this year, mostly with federal funds.

Some members of the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education sought tougher standards because of what they called lax controls over the programs.

The services also came under fire earlier this year in a report done by officials at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

The new standards include staffing ratios, academic guidelines and indoor and outdoor space requirements.

Program operators also face state reviews on academic achievement, how parents, students, teachers and others view the services and whether state monitoring rules are followed.

Those who fail to meet the new standards would face removal from the program.

Tammie McDaniel, of Oak Ridge, one of those who called for the new rules, said they will provide taxpayers with more accountability on how the services are performing.

The Boys and Girls Club of Greater Baton Rouge is one area club covered by the new rules.

The plan was endorsed Tuesday by a committee of the state board. The full board is expected to do the same Thursday.

The standards would then be offered for public review before final state action in March.