State

Budget

Prop 49: Protected in state budget. It was never really threatened. Note that even though 49 provides for automatic proportionate cuts in certain bad budget years when year-to-year general fund education funding declines (as it did this year), such cuts do not appear to be triggered this year (because it is a Test 1, not a Test 3, year for calculating minimum Prop 98 guarantee). It is worth keeping an eye on, but designation of Test 1 is not expected to change.

Child Care: June budget restored $200 million of over $500 million in child care cuts from March. So instead of $120 million in cuts to school-age child care and 22,000 fewer slots, cuts are over $60 million and over 9,000 fewer slots. Elimination of child care subsidies for most 11- and 12-year olds was reversed. Their preferred placement in after-school programs (as before March cuts) remains, although their families still can get child care subsidies if after-school programs not available.

Legislation

SB 614: No longer about after school (previously about self-defense/safety awareness as AS physical activity)

SB 429 (summer flexibility) and SB 737 (increase to 60 hours/week maximum for ASES to stay exempt from licensing requirements). Both will be heard in Assembly Appropriations on Aug. 17.

AB 165 prohibits fees for educational activities, even if hardship waiver exists. May be applicable to after school; still waiting to hear from CDE. In Senate Appropriations on Aug. 15. It was noted that a fair number of LA area programs charge annual registration/materials fees of $25-$50, and unclear impact on supplemental programs that operate 3 hours for free and then charge for the remaining time. Bill is in response to lawsuit, which may limit how flexible it can be.

Administrative

Weekends (as an allowable use of ASES dollars) – CDE wants to make change administratively but is checking with its Legislative Counsel to see if that would be permissible. If not, there may be a legislative vehicle.

Mandatory attendance – (whether attendance can be counted for students who show up less than 5 day/week intended for elementary/3 for middle). Controller will make recommendation to Education Audit Appeals Panel, which has authority on this issue. CDE support counting attendance (intent instead of mandate) and seems to be making headway with auditors, although Dept. of Finance is pro-mandate.

Upcoming (in)voluntary reductions – For High School ASSETs, $10 per student per day will be basis for reductions for 2012-2013 school year, but programs can rebut if application was based on lower attendance/more $ per student. It is not clear if guidelines will change for elementary/middle school reductions.

ASES Grants -$13 million just awarded for Cohort 3, but appeals expected (some concerns over schools with high school lunch percentage schools being turned down, timing of cutoff of applications, and source of school lunch percentages). All awardees had at least 63% school lunch percentage. Cohort 4 RFA may be released in early Fall, due in January.

21st Century – Expect RFA to be released in early Fall, and due in November before Thanksgiving. There is still some uncertainty over standards for renewing expiring grants, including some questions about over what is evidence of being in good standing and whether expiring high school grants get priority (although we did find statutory language calling for high school priority, which will be shared with CDE).

After School Meals (from federal child nutrition act) – Effective immediately, programs can apply for after school meals ($2.92 per student), either instead of or in addition to $0.74 snacks. If all programs with snacks upgraded, CA would get an estimated $140 million (not even taking into account programs that don’t use snacks but may be interested in better-compensated meals). Programs need to be tied to school with 50%+ students in school lunch program.

Federal

Budget/Appropriations – The 2012 budget is unclear, with most of focus on debt ceiling, not 2012 appropriations yet. With significant overall cuts quite possible, education and after school are vulnerable. Current House budget proposal could be for $175 million in 21st Century cuts, but unclear. House has proposed substantial cuts to juvenile justice, which sometimes funds after school, although it would protect mentoring.

ESEA reauthorization timing remains uncertain. Senate Committee keeps moving back timeline while House is moving forward piecemeal. House passed HR 2445, the State and Local Funds Flexibility Act, which would have minor impact on 21st Century: state could shift their 3% 21st Century “state activities” funding to any education purpose. But local 21st Century funding is not subject to being transferred to other uses, unlike several programs that, unlike 21st Century competitive grants, are distributed by formula.

Two bills on 21st Century reauthorization were recently introduced. S. 1311 (Sanders), which gives priority to extended learning time (while still permitting after-school use) and S. 1370 (Boxer), which does not allow state or federal governments to prioritize ELT. Each addresses strengthening of community-school partnerships and makes other changes. The Afterschool Alliance is coordinating support for the Boxer bill: for more information, contact @ epeterson@afterschoolalliance.org

Workforce Investment Act bill is languishing in the Senate.

Research

CA AS Network released “State of the State of After School in California” report at CalSAC Afterschool Challenge in May and soon will have appendices with Assembly, Senate, and Congressional district data on funding and unmet need. Look for future Network newsletters for links.