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. 

The Expanded Learning Division (EXLD) is currently accepting Attendance Relief Requests for Calendar Year 2026. Please find the form posted on the California Department of Education (CDE) website: Attendance Relief/PDD Requests

Note: New grantees and new sites identified in Round 2 will not be assessed for a grant reduction until the conclusion of Calendar Year 2027.

What’s New? 

The last date to submit attendance and attendance revisions for Calendar Year 2026 is February 17, 2027, in order to be considered for reductions effective Fiscal Year 2027–28. There is no additional window in which to revise attendance once the grant reduction list is sent in March 2027. See Timeline below. 

Important Reminders

• Attendance Relief Requests are due on January 31, 2027, to the EXLD Mailbox (expandedlearning@cde.ca.gov), and late submissions will not be accepted. The CDE will not be providing outreach to those on the brink of reduction. (See ASES, 21st CCLC, ASSETs Frequently Asked Question #25)
• 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 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 Request for either the January 1 – June 30, 2026 or the July 1 – December 31, 2026 reporting period(s). The completed attendance relief request form and evidence documents must be submitted to the EXLD at expandedlearning@cde.ca.gov by January 31, 2027. 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 by January 31, 2027 for the July 1–December 31, 2026 attendance data reporting period. 
• Voluntary Grant Change Requests are due January 31, 2027 to the EXLD. Forms are found on the CDE website here.
  • Voluntary Site Cancellation Form 
  • School Site Substitution Form 
  • Partnership Restructure Form 
  • Fiscal Agent Change Form 
• February 1 — March 5, 2027: Attendance Relief Requests are reviewed, data is compiled, attendance analysis completed, and grant reductions computed by the EXLD. Attendance revisions will not be accepted past February 17, 2027.
• March 8 — March 12, 2027: Grant recipients are notified of final grant reduction.
• July 1, 2027: Effective date of the grant reductions. 

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. (See ELO-P Frequently Asked Question #41)

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.