October 26, 2026
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 important information, such as notifications regarding key reporting deadlines, reminders of due dates for data, applications for funding, and audits, and any other topics related to audits and the state and federal categorical 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) |
10/01/26-10/31/26 |
| Federal Cash Management Data Collection (CMDC) | 10/10/26-10/31/26 |
| FY 2026–27 California Community Schools Partnership Program (CCSPP) Opt-In Platform | 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 close on October 31, 2026.
- LEA balances for FY 2024–25 are posted on the funding results page for each program. See CAARO Update Issue #2026-10 for links to each programs funding results page.
Title I, Part A (FY 2025–26) – 85% Obligation Reminder
- For details see the item titled, “Title I, Part A (FY 2025–26) – 85% Obligation Reminder” in CAARO Update Issue #2026-10
Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI) LEA
- The CSI GMART reporting window reporting window will close on October 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.
New or Significantly Expanding Charter School Requirements
- Charter Schools that recently opened or significantly expanding charters may be eligible to use current year data to receive funding under selected 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 New charter school LEAs that do not complete these requirements by the applicable deadlines will not receive FY 2026-27 ESSA funding allocations. New and Significantly Expanding charter school LEAs will be using the certify FY 2026-27 Fall 1 submission to determine final allocation. Please review all program requirements, instructions, and timelines to determine eligibility and participation requirements.
Annual Survey for Neglected or Delinquent Children
- The Neglected or Delinquent (NorD) Surveys will be distributed to eligible LEAs within the next few weeks. Please monitor your email for the survey notification, which will include instructions, timelines, and submission requirements.
- If you have any questions regarding this program, please contact Mariah Zabel in the Title I Monitoring and Support Office (TIMSO) by email at MZabel@cde.ca.gov.
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.
Learning Recovery Emergency Block Grant (LREBG)
- The FY 2026–27 LREBG allocations are available on the LREBG Funding Results web page. Funds were allocated on a per-unit funding rate of approximately $229.82.
- An apportionment reflecting 100 percent of each LEA’s allocation will be released to LEAs by late November.
Literacy Instruction Professional Development
- The Professional Learning Support Division is hosting a technical assistance webinar for LEAs on November 5, 2026, from 2–4 p.m. The webinar will cover the criteria, guidance, and list of approved professional development programs. To register, go to Literacy Professional Development Program Webinar
. - Additional information is available on the Literacy Professional Development Programs web page. For program questions, please contact the Professional Learning Support Division at PD@cde.ca.gov.
Audit Resolution Updates
Local Educational Agency Annual Audits - Auditing
- The 2025-26 State Controller’s Office Audit Advisory is currently being developed and will be released once complete.
- 2025-26 annual audit reports will be due January 31, 2027.
- The 2026-27 Supplemental Audit Guide will be available on the EAAP website March 1, 2027.
Questions:
Categorical Allocations & Audit Resolution Office | CAAR@cde.ca.gov
Last Reviewed: Monday, October 26, 2026
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