CAARO Updates

Information for select state and federal categorical programs and annual kindergarten through grade twelve (K–12) audits.

The purpose of the California Department of Education (CDE) Categorical Allocations and Audit Resolution Office (CAARO) updates is to provide local educational agencies (LEAs) and other interested parties with timely information, such as notifications regarding key reporting deadlines, applications for funding, annual audits, and any other topics related to programs administered by CAARO.

Key Dates

Description	Dates
2025-26 Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Application Deadline: Consolidated Application (ConApp) and Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) Federal Addendum LEAs submit applications and plans for fiscal year (FY) 2025-26 ESSA funds, which are used by CAARO to calculate final LEA allocations for each ESSA program. Title I, Part A; Title I, Part D, Subpart 2; Title II, Part A; Title III; and Title IV, Part A	5/1/25 - 3/31/26
Expenditure Deadline for One-Time State Programs LEAs must fully expend and liquidate funds for the following programs: A–G Completion Improvement Grant, FY 2021–22 Arts, Music, and Instructional Materials Discretionary Block Grant, FY 2022– 23 Educator Effectiveness Block Grant, FY 2021–22	6/30/26

Description

Dates

2025-26 Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Application Deadline: Consolidated Application (ConApp) and Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) Federal Addendum
LEAs submit applications and plans for fiscal year (FY) 2025-26 ESSA funds,
which are used by CAARO to calculate final LEA allocations for each ESSA program.
Title I, Part A; Title I, Part D, Subpart 2; Title II, Part A; Title III; and Title IV, Part A

5/1/25 - 3/31/26

Expenditure Deadline for One-Time State Programs
LEAs must fully expend and liquidate funds for the following programs:

A–G Completion Improvement Grant, FY 2021–22
Arts, Music, and Instructional Materials Discretionary Block Grant, FY 2022– 23
Educator Effectiveness Block Grant, FY 2021–22

6/30/26

Updates

Update Issue #2026-01 (Posted 26-Jan-2026)
Update Issue #2026-02 (Posted 25-Feb-2026)
Update Issue #2026-03 (Posted 23-Mar-2026)
Update Issue #2026-04 (Coming Soon)

Resources

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Questions: Categorical Allocations & Audit Resolution Office | CAAR@cde.ca.gov

Last Reviewed: Monday, March 23, 2026

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