Fall 2024

Welcome to the 2024-25 School Year

The San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) Expanded Learning Team provides professional development and technical assistance to After School Education and Safety (ASES), 21st Century Community Learning Center (CCLC), After School Safety and Enrichment for Teens (ASSETs), and Expanded Learning Opportunities Programs (ELO-P) in San Diego County. The team assists districts in the implementation of a variety of comprehensive programs designed to increase academic achievement by promoting positive behaviors and engaging students in learning, academic enrichment, and physical activity before and after school. Please visit our website for more information.

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FY 2025-26 Budget Impacts on Expanded Learning

Programs: ASES, 21st CCLC, ASSETs, ELO-P

In late June the Governor and Legislature reached an agreement on the 2024-25 California Budget and on June 26, Governor Newsom signed the Budget Act of 2024 (AB 107). Governor Newsom made it clear that the budget would maintain strong support for schools, including Expanded Learning.

“We’re also finally fulfilling the vision of before and after school as well as summer school for all, investing billions of dollars to make it universal.” -Governor Newsom

We are happy to share that the California Legislature and Governor Newsom have maintained their commitment to Expanded Learning programs. Despite fiscal challenges, funding for Expanded Learning remains stable: Maintains $4 billion in ongoing funding for ELO-P (Expanded Learning Opportunities Program). Maintains existing reimbursement rates for ASES and 21st CCLC programs. The signed budget typically requires changes to existing laws to implement the budget changes that are outlined in “trailer bills: organized by issue areas such as “K-12”, “higher education”, and “housing.” Trailer bills take effect immediately upon the Governor’s signature and typically only require a majority vote. SB-153 Education finance: education omnibus budget trailer bill was signed into law on June 29, 2024 and has several impacts to Expanded Learning (outlined in more detail in the newsletter below):

Liquidation of ELO-P Apportionment and ELO-P Expenditure Portal

Program: ELO-P

For the 2021–22 and 2022–23 FYs, local educational agencies (LEAs) will be required

to submit an expenditure report to the California Department of Education (CDE) after the liquidation deadline of Sept. 30, 2024. Assembly Bill 176 was recently passed by the legislature and is on the Governor’s desk. It will likely be signed.

California Education Code Section 46120 (c)(B) requires each LEA that received an allocation pursuant to subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of paragraph (1) for the 2021–22 fiscal year or the 2022–23 fiscal year shall report final expenditures to the department on or before Oct. 31, 2024, which shall initiate collection of any unexpended funds.

An LEA that does not submit the final expenditure report shall forfeit all funds allocated for the 2021–22 and 2022–23 fiscal years pursuant to subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) of paragraph (1).

LEAs should submit the expenditure report on the Expanded Learning Opportunities

Program (ELO-P) Expenditure Report website at http://www2.cde.ca.gov/elop and enter the LEA’s unique access code.

Support and Assistance

The System of Support for Expanded Learning is available to assist you in successfully

implementing your ELO Program. If you have any further questions regarding this

subject, please email ExpandedLearning@cde.ca.gov.

Important to Know Regarding Grantee Subcontractors

Programs: ASES, 21st CCLC, ASSETs, ELO-P

Grant-Funded Property Identification

Per California Code of Regulations Title 5, sec. 3946, all After School Education and Safety (ASES), 21st CCLC, and ASSETs grant purchased equipment inventory must have labels that clearly state the equipment is the “Property of the LEA/grantee,” and not the property of the subcontracted third party.

Applying 85/15 Rule to Shared Administrative Costs

Per EC secs. 8483.9[c], 8426[c][1] and 8483.9[b], the combined administrative costs, including the indirect costs for the LEA/grantee and the third-party service provider cannot exceed 15% of the total grant expenditures. Thus, reviewing the third-party invoices becomes important.

Third Party Staffing Requirements

Per EC Sec. 8483.4, the third-party service provider staff providing direct services to pupils must meet the minimum qualifications for an instructional aide according to the policies of the LEA.

Staff Minimum Qualifications and Ratio Eligibility

Per EC Sec. 8483.4, all staff must meet your LEA’s minimum qualifications to oversee students served in expanded learning programs and to be eligible in the student to staff ratio. High school students who have not earned their high school diplomas or equivalent may serve as interns but will not be considered official staff for ratio purposes.

EXLP Grant Reduction Process for Calendar Year 2024

Programs: ASES, 21st CCLC, ASSETs

The CDE Expanded Learning Division (EXLD), recently shared information on the grant reduction process for the After School Education and Safety, 21st Century Community Learning Centers, and 21st Century High School After School Safety and Enrichment for Teens (ASSETs) Programs. A grant reduction process is required by California Education Code (EC) sections 8483.7 and 8483.76, effective July 1, 2025.

Timeline for Reductions Process

Jan. 31, 2025: Attendance data reporting is due to the EXLD for the July 1–December 31, 2024 attendance data reporting period.
Feb. 15, 2025: The Voluntary Site Cancellation form is due to the EXLD; This form is to permanently cancel a site from your grant.
Feb. 17 to 28, 2025: Grantees in jeopardy of receiving a reduction will be contacted by their regional Analyst to inquire of any possible attendance relief credits they may be due.
March 3 to 21, 2025: Data is compiled, attendance analysis completed, and grant reductions computed by the EXLD.
March 24 to 28, 2025: Grant recipients are notified of grant reduction amounts. Revisions to attendance data or computations will only be considered within one week of the email notice under the following circumstance: Incorrect attendance data was submitted by the grantee; a request can be made for correction with an explanation that will be reviewed and approved by EXLD management.
July 1, 2025: Effective date of the grant reductions.

Important: Once the Reduction list is shared, any revisions to attendance data or computations beyond April 4, 2025 will not be granted in order for the EXLD to meet the statutory requirements for notification of new grant awards.

New and Updated Expanded Learning Opportunities Program Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Added

Program: ELO-P

New and updated ELO-P FAQs have been posted to the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program - Expanded Learning (CDE) webpage. Some topics covered in the updated FAQs now include emergency closure procedures and expenditure reporting, among others. To view these new and updated ELO-P FAQs, visit the CDE website.

New ELO-P Calculator

The CDE has posted a new Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) penalty calculator tool designed to assist LEAs and auditors in estimating the cost of audit findings related to ELO-P. The calculator estimates the cost of an audit finding for failing to meet the offering and access, and day requirements in FY 2023–24 and subsequent years [Education Code

(EC) Section (Sec.) 46120]. More information concerning the ELO-P requirements and the

associated penalties can be found on the ELO-P FAQs webpage.

This calculator is now accessible on the CDE’s Penalty Calculators web page. The 2023–24 Audit Guide, including the Supplement to the 2023–24 Audit Guide can be found on the Education Audit Appeals Panel web page.

For audit questions, please contact the Audit Resolution Office at 916-323-8068 or by email at LEAAudits@cde.ca.gov for assistance.

For ELO-P funding questions, please contact the Principal Apportionment Section at 916-324-4541 or by email at PASE@cde.ca.gov for assistance.

ELO-P Emergency Closure Guidance

EC Sec. 46120 (b)(9) was added for LEAs that are temporarily prevented from operating ELO-P due to a school or program site closure due to an emergency condition.

EC sec. 46120 (b)(9) has been amended so that ELO-P LEAs may avoid fiscal penalty for

Expanded Learning program closure due to emergency conditions. LEAs must document

resolution by the LEA’s governing board with documentation substantiating the need for such closure and show that resolution to auditors during the audit in order to meet the 180 instructional days/30 non-instructional day program operation requirement.

ELO-P Attendance Guidance

There are no attendance requirements for the ELO-P. However, per EC Sec. 46120(f), LEAs are highly encouraged to track student attendance for student safety. Student attendance in programs should be based on family needs. Per EC Sec. 46120(c)(2), students do not have to stay the entire nine hours of ELO-P programming.

The CDE has received some parent/guardian communication regarding their students being required to stay the entire nine hours in ELO-P programs, even though the law does not require this. Even during summer ELO-P programs, families and students have the flexibility to use as few or as many hours of ELO-P programming that suits their individual needs. Per EC Sec. 46120(b)(1), state law requires ELO-P programming to be open nine hours a day (either combined with the school day or alone during non-instructional days).

ELO-P Office Hours – Fall 2024

The California AfterSchool Network (CAN), in partnership with the CDE Expanded Learning Division (EXLD) and other members of the System of Support for Expanded Learning, is excited to co-host Fall ELO-P Office Hours!

Office Hour Dates & Registration

Select Fridays from noon to 1:30 p.m.:

The first approximately 30 minutes will be set aside to provide the latest updates. The remaining time will be used for Q&A and for sharing promising practices.

Monarch School Students Complete First Year of Esports

Expanded, enriched learning opportunities is one of the key practices of community schools. Earlier this year, students at Monarch School, which serves students experiencing homelessness and their families, completed their first year of Esports at the Linda Vista Innovation Center. Chris Garcia, coordinator at SDCOE, coached the students as they engaged in weekly lessons in Social and Emotional Learning and gaming, and also had an opportunity to practice competitive play. The students ended their year-long learning with a field trip to UC San Diego (UCSD) hosted by Triton Gaming. During their visit to the campus, students learned what they needed to do to enter college, played Esports against college students, and had lunch with UCSD HOPE scholarship students. This video features the Monarch Esports student athletes.

Reflecting back on the experience at UCSD, Garcia said: “the highlight of the drive back was hearing the students share their favorite part of the day: meeting with the EAOP department. They were excited to learn about their potential paths to college and how they could be involved with Esports.”

Celebrate the 25th Annual Lights On Afterschool Oct. 24, 2024

Programs: ASES, 21st CCLC, ASSETs, ELO-P

Launched in October 2000, Lights On Afterschool is the only nationwide event celebrating afterschool programs and their important role in the lives of children, families and communities. The effort has become a hallmark of the afterschool movement and generates media coverage across the country each year.

The Afterschool Alliance organizes Lights On Afterschool to draw attention to the many ways afterschool programs support students by offering them opportunities to learn new things — such as science, community service, robotics, Tae Kwon Do, and poetry — and discover new skills. The events sends a powerful message that millions more kids need quality afterschool programs.

Go to Lights On Partner Tools and Tips.

ELO-P Network

The ELO-P Network is a monthly session for district/charter leadership to deepen their understanding of expanded learning programming and Education Code, share resources and promising practices, and engage in communal learning. The ELO-P Network is facilitated by the System of Support for Expanded Learning at SDCOE.

Dates: Monthly (second Wednesday), 8:30 to 10 a.m.
Audience: District/charter leadership designing/leading expanded learning programs
Register here to join the network

Staff Connection STEAM Hub Meetups

Join the San Diego STEAM Hub In-Person Meetup and find inspiration to lead innovating and authentic STEAM learning that ignites students’ imagination and passion to decode challenges and thrive.

Date: Nov. 5
Audience: Site Level Staff
STEAM Meetup Flyer and Registration

Expanded Learning Staff Connection

This space is dedicated for expanded learning program staff to dialogue on current events, share promising practices and network with others in similar roles. These monthly connection meetings will primarily take place on Zoom. However, we'll also convene at specific venues for special events or STEAM presentations.

Date: Oct. 31
Audience: Site Level Staff
Flyer and Registration

For additional training and events available to all districts and charters in San Diego county, please check out the System of Support for Expanded Learning Linktree or contact Davina Hale or Melissa Minas for more information.

The San Diego Expanded Learning Consortium offers additional training to Consortium LEAs. View the calendar of events. Contact Lisa Johnson Davis or Lina Ledezma-Cortez for more information.

Quality Standards for Expanded Learning in CA

The Quality Standards for Expanded Learning in California were identified to create a framework of clear expectations, and a shared vision of both programmatic and point of service quality among multiple stakeholders. The purpose of the Quality Standards is to describe high levels of “Quality” of a program at the programmatic, staff, and participant levels. https://www.afterschoolnetwork.org/quality-standards-expanded-learning

For questions on any of your funding sources, please read our FAQs as your first step to answer those questions. Those FAQs can be found here:

If these resources do not answer your questions, please reach out to your regional teams within the Expanded Learning Statewide System of Support at

https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/ex/sosexplearncontacts.asp.

SDCOE Expanded Learning Staff

Pictured from left: Lisa Johnson Davis, Jose Garibay-Najera, Lina Ledezma-Cortez, Davina Hale, Melissa Minas, Chris Stephens, Anabel Mireles, Liza Flowers, Not pictured; Jackie Linenberger.