CAARO Update Issue #2026-15
September 28, 2026: Categorical Allocations and Audit Resolution Office (CAARO) Updates – twice monthly notifications of key reporting deadlines, applications for funding, annual audits, and any other topics related to programs administered by CAARO.The purpose of the California Department of Education (CDE) CAARO updates is to provide local educational agencies (LEAs) and other interested parties with timely information related to programs administered by CAARO.
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Key Dates
| Description | Dates |
|---|---|
Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-27 Reporting Window for Consolidated Application and Reporting System (CARS) Application for Funding Page opened on May 1 and will close on December 15, 2026. |
5/1/2026 - 12/15/2026 |
FY 2026-27 Literacy Coaches and Reading Specialists Opt-Out Form is open for California Education Code (EC) Section 53009.1(a), as added by Section 118 of Assembly Bill (AB) 126 (Chapter 65, Statutes of 2026). No Action is required if an LEA elects to accept the funding: Opt-Out Form |
9/30/2026 |
| FY 2022-23 Arts, Music, and Instructional Materials (AMIM) Discretionary Block Grant Final Expenditure Report A final expenditure report must be submitted through the AMIM portal no later than September 30, 2026. |
9/30/2026 |
| FY 2021-22 Educator Effectiveness Funds (EEF) Final Expenditure Report A final expenditure report must be submitted though the EEF portal no later than September 30, 2026. |
9/30/2026 |
Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI) Grant Management and Reporting Tool (GMART) FY 2024-25 GMR 5:
FY 2025-26 GMR 2
|
10/01/26-10/31/26 |
| Federal Cash Management Data Collection (CMDC) reporting window opens October 10 and will close on October 31, 2026. Active Fiscal Years to report cash balance: 2024-25, 2025-26, and 2026-27 |
10/01/26-10/31/26 |
Federal Categorical Program Updates
Categorical Programs - Allocations & Apportionments
Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Title I, Title II, Title III, and Title IV
- To receive an allocation for FY 2026-27 ESSA allocations, a local educational agency (LEA) must submit a State Board of Education (SBE) approved CARS Consolidated Application for Funding (ConApp) and an approved local control and accountability plan (LCAP) Federal Addendum by 12/15/2026.
- The obligation period for FY 2024–25 ESSA Title I–IV funds will close on September 30, 2026. After the obligation period closes, LEAs have one final opportunity to report cash balances which will be followed by the tenth and final apportionment, after which LEAs will forfeit any unclaimed balances.
- The CMDC window will open on October 10 through 31, 2026.
- To review FY 2024–25 remaining balances please refer to the schedule under “Allocations” on the “Funding Results” page. Links to the Funding Results page for each program are provided on the table below.
| Programs | Links |
|---|---|
| Title I, Part A | Funding Results: Title I, Part A, Fiscal Year 2024-25 |
| Title I, Part D, Subpart 2 | Funding Results: Title I, Part D, Subpart 2, Fiscal Year 2024-25 |
| Title II, Part A | Funding Results: Title II, Part A, Supporting Effective Instruction, Fiscal Year 2024-25 |
| Title III, English Learner | Funding Results: Title III English Learner Student Program, Fiscal Year 2024-25 |
| Title III, Immigrant | Funding Results: Title III Immigrant Student Program, Fiscal Year 2024-25 |
| Title IV, Part A | Funding Results: Title IV, Part A, Student Support and Academic Enrichment, Fiscal Year 2024-25 |
Title I, Part A (FY 2025–26) – 15% Carryover Limitation
- LEAs are approaching the end of the 15-month obligation period for FY 2025–26 Title I, Part A funds. Section 1127 of the ESSA allows LEAs to carry over no more than 15 percent of their Title I, Part A allocations, excluding funds received through any reallocations under Section 1126(c) of the ESSA, for one additional fiscal year, unless they receive a waiver from the CDE or the total allocation is less than $50,000. Annually, the CDE reviews the amount of Title I, Part A carryover funds for each LEA and issues an invoice to LEAs that exceed the carryover limit and do not receive a waiver.
- If you have any questions, please contact the Title I, Part A office by email at TIMSO@cde.ca.gov.
Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI) LEA
- The CSI GMART reporting window will be open October 1 through 31, 2026.
- If you have any questions regarding this program, please contact the School Improvement and Support Office (SISO) by email at SISO@cde.ca.gov.
Newly Opened Charter School Requirements
Charter Schools that recently opened may be eligible to receive funding under select federal programs authorized by Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). To be considered for ESSA funding allocations, eligible charter schools must complete all required ESSA application requirements, including California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data Systems (CALPADS) Consolidated Application (ConApp) and LCAP Federal Addendum submissions by the established deadlines.
- December 11, 2026: Certify FY 2026-27 CALPADS Fall 1 submission.
- December 15, 2026: Submit the FY 2026-27 ConApp and certify the application for funding for each applicable ESSA program.
- December 15, 2026: Submit and obtain approval of the LCAP Federal Addendum for each applicable ESSA program. To allow time for review and any required revisions, submission by November 13, 2026 is strongly recommended.
Eligible charter school LEAs that do not complete these requirements by the applicable deadlines will not be considered for FY 2026-27 ESSA funding allocations. Please review all program requirements, instructions, and timelines to determine eligibility and participation requirements.
State Categorical Program Updates
Categorical Programs - Allocations & Apportionments
Student Support & Professional Development Discretionary Block Grant (SSPDBG)
- Funding is calculated at a per-pupil rate based on fiscal year (FY) 2025–26 average daily attendance (ADA) for transitional kindergarten through grade 12 as the Second Principal (P-2) Apportionment. The estimated per-ADA rate is approximately $935.17.
- The CDE will post the allocations and per ADA rate on the SSPDBG web page in late September 2026. A first apportionment reflecting 75 percent of the allocation for each LEA will be released in early November 2026, with the remaining 25 percent of the allocation to be released in February 2027.
- See CAARO Update Issue #2016-11 For more program details on SSPDBG.
California Community Schools Partnership Program (CCSPP)
- Section 19 of AB 126 (Chapter 65, 2026) added EC Section 8903 appropriates $1 billion to the California Community Schools Partnership Program to support a network of eligible school sites to implement new, and provide ongoing support for existing, community schools.
- LEAs with eligible school sites must opt in by November 1, 2026, to receive funds in FY 2026–27, or by June 1 each year to receive funds in the following fiscal year.
- See CAARO Update Issue #2016-11 For more program details on CCSPP.
Literacy Coaches & Reading Specialists (LCRS) Grant Program
- Preliminary allocations are available on the FY 2026-27 Funding Results web page.
- LEAs have until September 30, 2026, to opt-out of the LCRS.
- See CAARO Update Issue #2016-11 For more program details on LCRS.