November 9, 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 email 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 |
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.
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
- NorD Surveys went out on 10/29/2026.
- NorD Surveys are due 12/15/2026.
- 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)
- The Opt-In process closed on November 1, 2026. LEAs with eligible school sites that elected to participate will receive an apportionment reflecting 100 percent of each school site’s allocation in January 2027.
- Eligible school sites that did not elect to participate by November 1, 2026, will have the opportunity to opt-in by June 1, 2027, for the 2027–28 fiscal year. Details regarding the annual opt-in process will be available on the CCSPP web page by May 2027.
Literacy Coaches & Reading Specialists (LCRS) Grant Program
- The CDE will post the revised LEA and school site allocations on the LCRS web page in early November 2026. An apportionment reflecting 100 percent of the allocation for each LEA will be released in late December 2026.
- For questions regarding the allowable uses of funds or reporting requirements, please contact the Professional Learning Innovations Office at PLIO@cde.ca.gov.