March 17, 2026
The following summarizes the relevant Early Learning and Care policy changes included in forthcoming 2026-27 Trailer Bills.
“Developmentally Appropriate” in Transitional Kindergarten (TK) (SEC. 24)
Amends the definition of a developmentally appropriate curriculum as one that uses strengths- and play-based instructional practices aligned with the Preschool/TK Learning Foundations, and that includes a cohesive set of principles, goals, teaching strategies, activities, and materials supporting children’s cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development in age-appropriate, culturally responsive ways.
Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP) (SEC. 20)
Sets a minimum funding amount for Rate 2 districts (less than 55% unduplicated pupils) of $1,800 per average daily attendance (ADA) for local educational agencies (LEAs). Rate 1 districts funding levels remain the same at $2,750 per ADA. The trailer bill also gives districts moving into Rate 1 a one-year transition period with limited audit requirements, before they must meet the Rate 1 requirement to offer access to ELOP to all students.
Screening Pupils for Risk of Reading Difficulties (SEC. 25)
Specifies that the reading difficulties screenings may not be administered earlier than the 91st day of school for kindergarten and 46th day of school for grades 1–2. Authorizes LEAs to administer additional screenings or diagnostic assessments beyond the annual requirement, as appropriate. Strongly encourages screenings to be conducted one-on-one or in small groups in accordance with publisher guidance to support accuracy.
Educator Training for Screening of Pupils for Risk of Reading Difficulties (SEC. 31)
$40 million in one-time funding to support LEAs in implementing K–2 reading difficulties screenings. Funds will be distributed on a per-pupil basis using prior-year enrollment and may be used for screening instruments, administration, and staff training.
New Discretionary Block Grant (Sec. 33)
$2.8 billion to for the Student Support and Professional Development Discretionary Block Grant for LEAs to provide professional development for teachers English language arts, English language development, and mathematics; training in developmentally appropriate instruction for TK through grade three; teacher recruitment and retention strategies; expansion of career pathways and dual enrollment; and to address rising operational costs.
Definition of a “Long-Term English Learner” and “English Learner at risk” (SEC. 1)
Redefines a “Long-term English Learner” to mean a pupil who has not attained English language proficiency within seven years of initial classification as an English Learner (EL).
Redefines an “English Learner at risk of becoming a long-term English Learner” to mean a pupil who has not attained English language proficiency within six years of initial classification as an EL.
Literacy Roadmap Encumbrance Extension (SEC. 28)
Extends the timeline for the $1 million Literacy Roadmap funding, allowing funds to be encumbered through June 30, 2028, and liquidated through June 30, 2030.
California Community Schools Partnership Act Apportionments Program (SEC. 6)
Provides $1 billion in ongoing funding to support existing and create new community schools. Eligible school sites must have 65% unduplicated students or more.
Learning Recovery Emergency Block Grant Investment (SEC. 10)
Allocates $757,300,000 General Fund to LEAs for academic learning recovery, social-emotional supports, extended learning, and related professional development, distributed per pupil based on attendance and unduplicated pupil counts.
State Education Governance (SEC. 11)
Creates an Education Commissioner under the State Board of Education to oversee departmental operations, grants, and contracts, aligning policy-making with administration. The Superintendent of Public Instruction retains an office with deputies and staff to support education leadership, with transitional provisions for existing employees and no net increase in departmental expenditures.
L.A. County School Wildfire Recovery Supplementary Allocation (SEC. 21)
$4 million to Pasadena Unified School District to help cover ongoing recovery costs from January 2025 wildfires. For charter schools affected by wildfires, the state adjusts recovery funding to account for increases in TK enrollment, ensuring schools are not penalized. For the 2026–27 fiscal year, 30% of each affected charter school’s 2024–25 local control funding formula entitlement will be allocated.
Cost of Living Adjustment for the CA State Preschool Program (SEC. 5) (Cost-of-Care Plus Rate)
Starting July 1, 2026, provides a once-per-month, per-child-served cost of care plus rate for providers enrolled in the state preschool program.
Child Care Provider Family Fee Deductions
Starting July 1, 2026, subsidized child care contractors must reimburse providers in full without deducting family fees, while continuing to collect fees directly from families.
Child Care Alternative Methodology Survey
Updates the Child Care and Development Services Act to require that, when setting reimbursement rates for subsidized child care, regional market rate surveys and alternative methodologies be conducted every three years instead of every two.
Licensed Family Daycare Homes Temporary Absences
Updates the California Child Day Care Facilities Act by allowing temporary absences of licensees to be up to 20% of monthly care hours (instead of daily), requiring substitutes to meet criminal clearance, health training, and immunization standards, and mandating prior notice to parents and written reporting to the department. It also authorizes the department to waive rules when reasonable and safe and implement these changes via letters until regulations are updated.
Child Care Cost of Living Adjustment (Cost-of-Care Plus Rate)
Starting July 1, 2026, provides a once-per-month, per-child-served cost of care plus rate for providers serving children enrolled in the following subsidized child care programs: Alternative payment programs, migrant alternative payment programs, migrant child care and development programs, general child care and development programs, family child care home education networks, child care and development services for children with special needs, the CalWORKs Stage 1, Stage 2, or Stage 3 programs, and the Emergency Child Care Bridge Program for Foster Children program.
Unexplained Absences: Child Care Subsidies
Defines the term “excessive unexplained absences” to mean absences that are not considered excused, as specified under law, and that exceed 30 days within a 12-month interval during the period of time between a determination and a redetermination.