This update contains information on the grant reduction process for the After School Education and Safety (ASES), 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC), 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) section 8483.7, effective July 1, 2026. 

What’s New? 

• Attendance Relief Requests are due on January 31, 2026 to the Expanded Learning mailbox, and late submissions will not be accepted. 
• The two most recent full calendar years will be measured for the following: the first calendar year data must meet a minimum of 75 percent (55 percent—ASES Frontier program) of its attendance target; and the most recent two calendar years must meet a minimum of 85 percent (65 percent—ASES Frontier program). If the percentage falls below 75 percent (55 percent—ASES Frontier program) in the first calendar year or below 85 percent (65 percent—ASES Frontier program) for two consecutive years, the California Department of Education (CDE) will adjust the grant to meet the actual attendance level plus a 15 percent cushion. EC sections 8426[d][3][4] and 8483.7.  
• The percentage figure used to determine any funding reduction for a school site will be based on actual student attendance attained percentage (out to two decimal places), without using any rounding rules or formatting. 

Reporting Due Dates and Timeline for Reductions Process:  

• Grantees in jeopardy of receiving a reduction should submit an Attendance Relief/PDD Requests for Program for either the January 1 – June 30, 2025 or the July 1 – December 31, 2025 reporting period(s). The completed attendance relief request form and proof/evidence documents must be submitted to the Expanded Learning Division (EXLD) at expandedlearning@cde.ca.gov by January 31, 2026. Please note that most attendance relief request result in a small change of 1% – 3% to a school site’s attendance target. If a site’s attendance is significantly less than 75%, then a request should not be submitted. 
• Attendance data reporting is due to the EXLD January 31, 2026 for the July 1–December 31, 2025 attendance data reporting period. 
• Voluntary Grant Change Requests are due January 31, 2026 to the EXLD. 
  • Voluntary Site Cancellation Form 
  • School Site Substitution Form 
  • Partnership Restructure Form 
  • Fiscal Agent Change Form 
• February 2 — March 6, 2026: Attendance Relief Requests are reviewed, data is compiled, attendance analysis completed, and grant reductions computed by the EXLD. 
• March 10 — March 13, 2026: Grant recipients are notified of grant reduction amounts. 
• July 1, 2026: Effective date of the grant reductions. 

Important: Once the Reduction list is shared any revisions to attendance data or computations beyond March 23, 2026, will not be granted in order for the EXLD to meet the statutory requirements for notification of new grant awards. The final reduction list will be sent by April 10, 2026.  

As a reminder: 

The Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELO-P) funding for additional student slots can count toward existing ASES and 21st CCLC elementary/middle school attendance as long as the program is considered a single, comprehensive program. 

If you have any questions, please contact your Regional Analyst. Contact information can be found on the California Department of Education’s Statewide System of Support for Expanded Learning Contacts web page at https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/ex/sosexplearncontacts.asp.