Information for select state and federal categorical programs and annual 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
Federal Cash Management Data Collection (CMDC) LEAs report cash balances for Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) programs,
which are used by CAARO to calculate apportionment payments. Title I, Part A; Title I, Part D, Subpart 2; Title II, Part A; Title III; and Title IV, Part A
1/10/26 - 1/31/26
2025-26 ESSA Application Deadline: Consolidated Application (ConApp)
and Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) Federal Addendum LEAs submit applications and plans for fiscal year 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
Grant Management and Reporting Tool (GMART) Application for Funding (AFF) LEAs submit applications for fiscal year 2025-26, which are used by CAARO to
to finalize LEA allocations of Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI) funds.
1/12/26 - 1/31/26
GMART CSI Expenditure Report LEAs report fiscal year 2024-25 expenditure data for CSI, which are used to by
CAARO to calculate LEA apportionments.
CAARO Updates (added 26-Jan-2026)
Information for select state and federal categorical programs and annual K-12 audits.
LtrProjAdj-25: State Special Schools (added 26-Jan-2026)
Letter of projected adjustment to the School District Principal Apportionment for Student Attendance in State Special Schools in fiscal year 2025-26.
RecovLtr2-25: Prop 39 (added 22-Jan-2026)
Letter of the Recovery of Unspent funds for the Prop 39 program.
Ltr1-25: First Quarter Lottery (added 05-Jan-2026)
Lottery First Quarter Lottery Apportionment letter for fiscal year 2025-26.
2023–24 Title I, Part D, 27 Month Expenditure (added 03-Dec-2025)
Consolidated Application and Reporting System (CARS) Winter Release data entry instructions for the 2023–24 Title I, Part D Subpart 2 Expenditure Report, Closeout 27 Months data collection form.
2023–24 Title II, Part A FY Expenditure, 27 Months (added 03-Dec-2025)
Consolidated Application and Reporting System (CARS) Winter Release data entry instructions for the 2023–24 Title II, Part A Fiscal Year (FY) Expenditure Report, Closeout 27 Months data collection form.
2025–26 CARS Abbreviations, Acronyms, Initialisms (added 03-Dec-2025)
List of the abbreviations, acronyms, or initialisms and their full name that are used in the data collection forms of the 2025–26 Winter Release Consolidated Application and Reporting System (CARS).
