CDE Announcements Archive

2025–26 Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act: Title II: Adult Education and Family Literacy Act

Dear Adult Education Administrators:

The Adult Education Office (AEO) is pleased to announce that awards for Program Year 2025–26 have been approved by the California Department of Education (CDE) and Grant Award Notifications (GAN) are expected to be available by the end of this week.

Here are the important topics contained in this message:

• Grant Award Notifications and Grant Budgets
• Updated Deliverable Due Dates
• Payment Points Attestation Letter Due December 15, 2025
• Integrated Education and Training Survey
• 2026–27 Program Year Inquiry

Funding Results are now available online through the WIOA 2025–26 Funding Results page. GANs are currently being processed and expected to be loaded into the Online Application and Reporting Site (reporting site) on Friday, December 5, 2025. All funding expected for distribution this year was included in the initial award package. Mid-year amendments are not anticipated. Agencies are encouraged to review the Award Letter, which will be available with your GAN, for detailed information about funding calculations and one-time funding activities included in this year’s awards.

The Budget software module will also open on December 5, 2025, and access is dependent on an accepted signed GAN. Agencies are encouraged to prepare all budget items outside the reporting site while waiting.

With the late distribution of award notifications, subsequent deliverable due dates have been updated. Agencies can expect to see updates posted to the Grant Deliverable Due Dates web page later this week and the changes are as follows:

• Signed Grant Award Notification due: 1/16/2026
• Grant Budget due: 1/31/2026
• First Expenditure Claim due: 2/13/2026
• Second Expenditure Claim due: 2/27/2026

Should you have any difficulties submitting your GAN timely, especially if you are a Local Education Agency awaiting your next school district board meeting, please reach out to your Regional Consultant to request a due date extension.

The Expenditure Claim Report (ECR) application is expected to open by December 12, 2025. Access to the ECR module is dependent on having an approved Grant Budget.

Agencies are reminded that the Payment Point Attestation Letter is due to CASAS by December 15, 2025. Complete the certification received by email from CASAS and return the signed certification to capm@casas.org. This certification assists the AEO with the preparation of grant awards for the next year and is an activity that should not be overlooked.

We are writing to request your insights as part of a CDE initiative to better support and expand Integrated Education and Training (IET) programs across the state.

A key goal of this initiative is to explore the expansion of the IET model to more formally include Adult Basic Education (ABE) and Adult Secondary Education (ASE) students, in addition to English as a Second Language (ESL) learners. Your perspective on this expansion is critical as we work to strengthen adult education's position as a key workforce development partner. Your feedback will also be instrumental in identifying current IET challenges and successes. This information will directly inform the development of a new statewide "Tool Kit" designed to help providers like you.

Please take a few minutes to complete the 10-question IET survey. Thank you for lending your time and expertise to this important effort.

It is already time to look ahead to the last year of this grant cycle. The 2026–27 Program Year Inquiry will be available as a one-time survey in early January. Agency responses with this activity also assist with the preparation of grant awards by alerting the AEO about program and staffing changes within your organization. Timely response is appreciated.

Should you have any questions about your Grant Award Notification, or this communication, please reach out to your assigned AEO Regional Consultant directly or to the AEO by phone at 916-322-2175 or by email at adulteducation@cde.ca.gov.

Sincerely,

Carolyn Zachry, Ed.D.
Education Administrator and State Director
Adult Education Office
California Department of Education
916-322-2175
adulteducation@cde.ca.gov

2025–26 Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), Title II: Adult Education Family Literacy Act (AEFLA)

Dear Adult Education Administrators:

We hope the year has been off to a great start for you and your students. With Grant Award Notifications (GAN) still pending approval, adjustments have been made to the October deliverables. This communication includes information on the following topics:

• First Quarter Deliverables
• Funding Update and Grant Budgets
• First Quarter Expenditure Claims
• Annual Audit Status Certification

1. First Quarter Data, TOPSpro® Enterprise
2. California English Literacy and Civics Education Objectives and Additional Assessment Plans (COAAP)
3. First Quarter Data Integrity Report
4. Employment and Earnings Follow-up Survey

These electronic only deliverables are due Friday, October 31, 2025, and the due dates have not changed. For further information, please visit the WIOA, Title II: AEFLA Grant Information 2025–26 web page.

Upcoming action items are also located within the WIOA Dashboard on the reporting site. For deliverables reflecting missing or incorrect dates, please contact the appropriate agency listed in the “Submit To” for correction.

Award notifications are still pending approval. The due dates for the GAN and Grant Budget have not yet been set. Both deliverables will continue to be displayed as To Be Determined (TBD), until they have been determined.

Agencies are encouraged to prepare their draft budget outside of the Reporting Site until the software modules open. Please review the GAN information on the Reporting Site carefully for information to assist with budget preparation.

Section 231 ? Additional funding beyond the amounts listed in the Preliminary Notification is expected for positive gains in Employment and Earnings outcomes (students reporting they got a job) and for other survey responses. Although funded for the past few years, survey responses are considered one-time or non-recurring funding.

Section 243 ? While delays in issuing Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education funding were initially anticipated that is no longer the case. Agencies operating qualifying Integrated Education and Training (IET) programs can expect their full award amount with the initial GAN in addition to the amount identified in their Preliminary Notification.

The opening of the First Quarter Expenditure Claim (ECR) module has been delayed due to the delay in the GAN. The due date will reflect as TBD until further notice. Agencies will have to submit their GAN and have an approved Budget on file before they can begin their claim.

The ECR Guidelines have been updated and will be available once the module is open. Grantees should review the document before beginning their claim.

The Annual Audit Status Certification (AASC) module in the Reporting Site is being updated. The due date will be updated when the module is opened and available to agencies. This deliverable is not applicable to all agencies.

The AEO recognizes the hours of dedicated support you provide your students and adult education programs. If we can provide further support or address any questions, please contact our office by email at adulteducation@cde.ca.gov or by phone at 916-322-2175.

Sincerely,

Carolyn Zachry, Ed.D.
Education Administrator and State Director
Adult Education Office
California Department of Education
916-322-2175
adulteducation@cde.ca.gov

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), Title II: Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA) 2025–26

Dear Adult Educators:

In case you haven’t heard this today, thank you for all you do for your students and your adult education programs. With so much constant motion, this is your reminder to just take a moment, and to breathe. We’re in this together…you’ve got this.

Included in this latest communication from the Adult Education Office (AEO) are the following:

• Updated Preliminary Funding Results
• Tests and eTests Update
• New Administrator Orientation Resources
• Save the Date: Steps to College 2026

Preliminary Funding Results have been updated for grantees receiving Section 243 – Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education grant funding. Updates have posted to the 2025–26 WIOA Grant Information web page. This information has also been added to California Adult Education Online Application and Reporting Site (reporting site). Agencies are encouraged to review the information within the reporting site for additional information.

This funding update reflects a nominal amount of funding Section 243 which is expected to be in addition to the regular award for grantees that are operating qualifying Integrated Education and Training programs. Approval for distribution of Grant Award Notifications (GAN) is still in process and a due date for the GAN and Grant Budget will be set once awards are available for distribution. Please prepare preliminary budget information outside the reporting site while waiting. Thank you for your patience as the AEO has worked to finalize funding calculations due to the delays and uncertainty which started the year.

Ordering processes for tests have returned to normal. For questions regarding tests and ordering, please contact CASAS by email at info@casas.org.

The AEO recently concluded the annual New Administrator Orientation. If you were unable to attend, you can find the presentation slides, handouts and other resource materials from the event online. Recordings and additional materials will continue to be added to the NAO Canvas Training Site (no login required) as they become available, or from the Resources menu within the Adult Education Online Application and Reporting Site. New staff, returning staff, and anyone who provides support to your adult education programs are encouraged to review the online materials as a resource throughout the year.

AEO staff enjoyed meeting with attendees during the event for a face-to-face opportunity. If you were unable to attend the final breakout session with attendees in your local area, we encourage you to reach out to your AEO Regional Consultant to say hello and get connected.

It’s time to save the date for Steps to College 2026 (STC), the largest bilingual & binational university fair in Northern California. Representatives from distinguished colleges and universities from California and Mexico, as well as State of California higher education experts, and nonprofit higher education organizations and advocates work together each year to help students navigate the college experience and learn about their finance options for higher education. The fair is designed to help all families and students navigate a successful path to college. The STC will be held on Saturday, February 7, 2025, at Cal Expo, Buildings A and B, 1600 Exposition Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95815. For more information visit: https://stepstocollegesac.org.

If you have any questions, please contact the AEO by email at adulteducation@cde.ca.gov or by telephone at 916-322-2175.

Sincerely,

Carolyn Zachry, Ed.D.
Education Administrator and State Director
Adult Education Office
California Department of Education
916-322-2175
adulteducation@cde.ca.gov

2025–26 Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (WIOA, Title II: AEFLA)

Dear Adult Education Administrators:

Grantees receiving WIOA, Title II: AEFLA funding must comply with the laws and regulations of the Education Department of General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) and the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, more commonly known as the Uniform Grant Guidance (UGG) found in Title 2 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 20.

The Adult Education Office (AEO) has prepared an allowable and unallowable guidance tool for WIOA, Title II: AEFLA providers. This tool identifies common items of costs from Tile 2 CFR Part 200 with pertinent citations, and includes indications for if each item is allowable, allowable with restrictions, or unallowable, and an explanation for each cost. It also includes excerpts from the 2024 California School Accounting Manual (CSAM), Procedure 330 Object Classification, which covers accounting classifications for object codes including WIOA, Title II: AEFLA expenditures.

Find the guidance tool in the Resources section within the Adult Education Online Application and Reporting site. Access to this site requires an account. This includes adult schools receiving federal and/or state funding.

If you have any questions on the items of cost regulations or whether a cost, not necessarily on this tool, is allowable or unallowable, please contact your AEO Regional Consultant or the AEO by email at adulteducation@cde.ca.gov.

Sincerely,

Carolyn Zachry, Ed.D.
Education Administrator and State Director
Adult Education Office
California Department of Education
916-322-2175
adulteducation@cde.ca.gov

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), Title II: Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA) 2025–26

Dear Adult Educators:

As we begin the third year of the WIOA grant cycle, the Adult Education Office (AEO) is excited to partner with you to make the 2025–26 program year a success. We know the first few weeks are a critical time, and this month's newsletter includes important fiscal and programmatic updates to help you navigate the year ahead. Included in this message are the following:

• Preliminary Funding Results
• 2025–26 Program and Accountability Requirements
• Welcome Back 2025 Video – Updated
• Tests and eTests
• New Administrator Orientation Registration
• Reporting Site User Account Updates
• Staff Assignment Changes

Preliminary Funding Results have posted to the 2025–26 WIOA Grant Information web page. Agencies can also find preliminary funding information and additional information within their login at the California Adult Education Online Application and Reporting Site (reporting site). Please read the August 2025 Preliminary Award Notification Letter from Carolyn Zachry for essential information about fiscal impacts and adjustments. The Adult Education Office is still completing calculations for Section 243 - Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education grant funding. Details are included in the letter.

The Program and Accountability Requirements, including due dates for upcoming deliverables, are now available on the WIOA, Title II: AEFLA Grant Information 2025–26 web page. Deliverable due dates for the Grant Award Notification and Grant Budget will not be set until a later date.

Dr. Carolyn Zachry has recorded an updated welcome back message appropriate for sharing with all staff providing support to WIOA, Title II activities. This short video is located on the Resources page of the reporting site or through this direct link Welcome Video. Please share it with your staff. Welcome back and let us make it a great one!

As we continue to move forward with caution, please ensure that you are only ordering the tests you need one month at a time.

The 2025 New Administrator Orientation (NAO) registration will be closing soon. If you have not already signed up and have been in a position supporting WIOA adult education program for two years or less, do not miss this opportunity. The 2025 virtual event will be held September 9–11, 2025.

Reporting site users with the role of OAR Admin are reminded to update all user account access, contact information, and Agency Contacts. Incoming users, such as new Adult Education Directors and Superintendents, will need access to the reporting site to download grant award information later this year and former staff should have their permissions removed. For additional guidance, check out the WIOA User Guide for OAR Admins in the Resources section of the reporting site. The estimated time to complete this important activity is less than 15 minutes.

AEO Staff Assignments have recently been updated. Refer to the landing page of the reporting site (this is the first page that displays after login), for contact information for your assigned Regional Consultant or Fiscal Analyst.

An updated AEO Staff Directory is available in the Reference section of the Resources web page. Two files are available. The first is organized by district assignment and the other is organized by agency.

If you have any questions, please contact the AEO by email at adulteducation@cde.ca.gov or by telephone at 916-322-2175.

Carolyn Zachry, Ed.D.
Education Administrator and State Director
Adult Education Office
California Department of Education
916-322-2175
adulteducation@cde.ca.gov

2025–26 Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (WIOA, Title II: AEFLA)

Dear Adult Education Administrator:

Hello!

This is to inform you that registration for the 2025 New Administrator Orientation (NAO) is now open.

This training provides an overview of the WIOA, Title II: AEFLA grant implementation requirements and available resources for grantees. It is intended for new grantees and new staff of continuing agencies who have been in their position for less than three years, including:

• Adult Education Administrators
• Principals
• Supervisor-level staff
• Individuals directly supporting grant administrative activities.

The online event will be held over three days, September 9–11, 2025.

Registration is only required once for all three dates. This direct link will open the registration page on the CA Professional Development calendar. Please use your district email address to register and fill out the “membership” form if directed.

We look forward to seeing you at the 2025 NAO.

Carolyn Zachry, Ed.D.
Education Administrator and State Director
Adult Education Office
California Department of Education
916-322-2175
adulteducation@cde.ca.gov