California's Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELO-P) funds school districts and charter schools to offer before-school, after-school, summer and intersession programs for transitional kindergarten (TK) through grade 6. Programs must offer at least nine hours a day of combined school-day instruction and expanded learning on school days, plus at least 30 nonschool days of nine hours each, with a 1:20 staff-to-pupil ratio (1:10 for TK and kindergarten). The governing board approves a program plan, and programs must meet snack and meal requirements.
This guide summarizes what the California Department of Education (CDE) says on its ELO-P information page and ELO-P FAQ (last reviewed June 19, 2026), then gives practical planning ideas. ELO-P is governed by Education Code Section 46120. We could not open the statute on leginfo.legislature.ca.gov while writing this, so this guide relies on CDE's summary.
What is ELO-P and who gets the funds?
CDE describes ELO-P as funding for afterschool and summer school enrichment programs for TK through sixth grade. Apportionments go to school districts and charter schools (local educational agencies, or LEAs) to offer and provide access to these programs.
CDE says expanded learning programs should be pupil-centered and results driven, should include community partners, and should complement, but not repeat, learning during the regular school day.
Which TK–6 students must be offered access?
Who must be offered the program depends on the LEA's funding rate, which CDE ties to the prior-year unduplicated pupil percentage (UPP).
- Rate 1 (prior-year UPP of 55 percent or more): the LEA must offer the program to all TK–6 classroom-based pupils and provide access on parent or guardian request.
- Rate 2 (prior-year UPP of 54.99 percent or less): the LEA must offer the program to unduplicated pupils in TK–6 and provide access to them on parent or guardian request.
CDE notes this rate structure took effect in the 2025–26 fiscal year. An LEA funded at Rate 1 is guaranteed the higher rate for at least three years, and LEAs moving from Rate 2 to Rate 1 are audited as Rate 2 for one year, starting in 2025–26.
How many hours does ELO-P require on school days and nonschool days?
School days: CDE's FAQ says LEAs must offer at least nine hours of combined instructional time and in-person expanded learning per instructional day. The nine hours are calculated by adding instructional minutes, recess, meals and ELO-P time.
Nonschool days: LEAs must also offer the program on at least 30 nonschool days, including Extended School Year days, with at least nine hours each day. A summer school program may help meet the requirement. CDE says Saturday school cannot count toward the 30 nonschool days.
Frontier locations: For areas with fewer than 11 people per square mile, CDE lists eight hours instead of nine.
What staffing ratios does ELO-P require?
CDE's FAQ states that all ELO-P programs must maintain a staff-to-pupil ratio of 1:20. For TK and kindergarten pupils, the ratio must be at least 1:10. When a group mixes TK or K students with older students, CDE describes using the 1:10 ratio as best practice.
The FAQ also points to staff qualifications based on the district's minimum qualifications for an instructional aide.
What goes into the ELO-P program plan?
LEAs must operate ELO-P under Education Code Section 46120, which includes developing a program plan. CDE says:
- The governing board should approve the plan in a public meeting.
- The plan should be posted on the LEA's website within 30 days of approval.
- Plans are to be reviewed and approved by the board every three years.
- LEAs submit the plan's URL with their expenditure reports.
CDE posts a Program Plan Guide on its ELO-P page (the current version is dated November 2024). The FAQ also says that all expenditures should be consistent with statute and the LEA's program plan, so the plan works as your spending guide too.
What are the California Quality Standards for Expanded Learning?
CDE refers to "twelve critical standards," the Quality Standards for Expanded Learning in California. They describe quality at the program, staff and participant levels. CDE's Quality Standards and CQI page names six point-of-service standards:
- Safe and Supportive Environment
- Active and Engaged Learning
- Skill Building
- Youth Voice and Leadership
- Healthy Choices and Behaviors
- Diversity, Access, and Equity
CDE ties the standards to a continuous quality improvement (CQI) cycle of assessment, planning and improvement at each site. The ELO-P FAQ says LEAs must track pupil attendance and use the data for safety and CQI.
Does ELO-P have a nutrition requirement?
Yes. CDE's FAQ says LEAs operating an ELO-P program shall comply with the snack and/or meal requirements in Education Code Sections 8483.3(c)(8), 8482.3(d) and 46120(b)(2). It adds that LEAs should first try to qualify for reimbursable meals or snacks through the school nutrition programs before using ELO-P funds, and that School Breakfast and National School Lunch Program meals may be served on school days only. Loop in nutrition services early when planning nonschool days.
How can you plan a weekly expanded learning rhythm?
A predictable weekly rhythm helps new staff and gives students something to look forward to. Some expanded learning activity ideas:
- Give each day a repeating structure: a snack and check-in, a movement block, a hands-on project and a short brain game or quiet choice time.
- Use weekly themes so projects can build over several days.
- Plan K–2 and 3–5 versions of the same activity so mixed-age groups can work side by side and you can keep the 1:10 groups for TK and K.
- Build in youth voice: let students vote on the next theme or choose between two activities, which connects to the Youth Voice and Leadership standard.
How do you align with the school day without replicating it?
CDE says expanded learning should complement, not repeat, the regular school day. Ask teachers what students are learning, then practice those skills a different way. A class studying measurement might build and measure paper bridges after school. Skip the second round of worksheets.
Attendance matters here too. An engaging program can give students a reason to come to school. Our guide to chronic absenteeism in California schools covers how attendance teams can work with other programs at the site.
How can ELO-P programs engage families?
Access is provided on parent or guardian request, so families need to know the program exists. Send a short weekly note in the languages families speak, host a showcase or family night at the end of a theme, and ask families which nonschool days they need most.
ELO-P FAQ
What is the ELO-P 9 hours and 30 days rule?
On school days, LEAs must offer at least nine hours of combined instructional time and in-person expanded learning, counting instructional minutes, recess, meals and program time. They must also offer the program on at least 30 nonschool days, including Extended School Year days, with at least nine hours each day. CDE notes frontier locations use eight hours instead.
Which students must be offered ELO-P?
It depends on the LEA's funding rate. Rate 1 LEAs (prior-year unduplicated pupil percentage of 55 percent or more) must offer the program to all TK–6 classroom-based pupils. Rate 2 LEAs (54.99 percent or less) must offer it to unduplicated pupils in TK–6. In both cases, access is provided on parent or guardian request.
What staff-to-student ratio does ELO-P require?
CDE's FAQ says ELO-P programs must maintain a staff-to-pupil ratio of 1:20, and programs serving TK or kindergarten pupils must keep a ratio of at least 1:10. For mixed groups that include TK or K pupils, CDE describes following 1:10 as best practice.
Does the ELO-P program plan need board approval?
Yes. CDE says the governing board should approve the plan in a public meeting, the plan should be posted on the LEA website within 30 days of approval, and plans are to be reviewed and approved by the board every three years. LEAs submit the plan's URL with their expenditure reports.
Can ELO-P programs charge families a fee?
CDE says fees are permitted, but foster youth, homeless pupils and pupils who qualify for free and reduced-price meals cannot be charged a family fee. Any fee must use a sliding scale based on family income and ability to pay.
Can a district opt out of ELO-P?
According to CDE's FAQ, starting in 2025–26 LEAs may choose to opt out, and each LEA must declare annually whether it will operate the program.
This guide summarizes CDE guidance as of October 2026 and is not legal or fiscal advice. Confirm details with CDE, your county office of education and your district's business office.
Written by Isaac, U.S. Navy veteran and founder of Creator Supply Co.