CAARO Update Issue #2026-16
October 13, 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.
To subscribe, send a blank e-mail to subscribe-caaro-updates@mlist.cde.ca.gov.
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 |
Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI) Grant Management and Reporting Tool (GMART) reporting window is open and will close on October 31, 2026. |
10/01/26-10/31/26 |
| Federal Cash Management Data Collection (CMDC) reporting window opened on October 10 and will close on October 31, 2026. | 10/10/26-10/31/26 |
| FY 2026–27 California Community Schools Partnership Program (CCSPP) Opt-In Platform is open and will close on November 1, 2026. New and existing community school sites must opt-in by the deadline to receive CCSPP funds in FY 2026–27. | 11/01/26 |
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 |
Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI) LEA
The CSI GMART reporting window will be open October 1 through 31, 2026 for performance Period: July 1, 2026, to September 30, 2026.
- This will be the final opportunity for LEAs to report expenditures for FY 2024-25 funding, which will be followed by the final apportionment. LEAs with unclaimed balances following the final apportionment will forfeit those funds.
- For FY 2025-26, LEAs will report expenditures, which will be followed by an apportionment.
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
California Community Schools Partnership Program (CCSPP)
Section 19 of Assembly Bill (AB) 126 (Chapter 65, 2026) added Education Code (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.
To receive funds in FY 2026–27, LEAs with eligible school sites must opt in by November 1, 2026, via the CCSPP Opt-In Platform.
See CAARO Update Issue #2016-11 For more program details on CCSPP.
Lottery
The 4th Quarter Lottery apportionment for 2025–26 was released by the State Controller’s Office on September 30th. The 4th Quarter Lottery apportionment letter is available on the CDE’s Lottery web page.