CDE Announcements Archive

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

Dear Adult Education Administrators:

Welcome to 2026! We hope your winter break provided a well-deserved chance to recharge and reflect. As we launch into the second half of the program year, the Adult Education Office (AEO) wants to pause and recognize the heart you put into your work every single day. Your commitment to student success is what drives this community forward. We are in your corner as we head toward a strong finish—let’s make 2026 a year of breakthrough moments and shared milestones!

Here is a closer look at some important items coming up in January and other noteworthy activities.

• Second Quarter Expenditure Claim and Reimbursements
• Deliverables Due January 31, 2026
• 2025–26 Expenditure Claim Report Guidelines
• Continuous Improvement Plan (CIP)
• 2026–27 Program Year Inquiry
• WIOA State Plan Updates
• Payment Point Attestation Letters
• Steps to College 2026

The Expenditure Claim Report (ECR) module for the second quarter opened January 5, 2026, and second quarter claims are due to the California Department of Education (CDE) by Friday, February 27, 2026. This date has been adjusted to allow for internal approvals in processing the Grant Award Notification and Grant Budget, which may be necessary for your organization. As a reminder, first quarter claims are due Friday, February 13, 2026.

To assist with receiving reimbursements timely, agencies are encouraged to submit both their first and second claim as soon as possible. Reimbursements for the first and second quarters will be processed together if both claims have been approved by the CDE at the time payment requests are prepared. However, if only the first claim has been submitted and approved, then two separate reimbursements will be made, one for each quarter.

• Grant Budget
• Second Quarter Data, TOPSpro® Enterprise
• Second Quarter Data Integrity Report
• California Accountability Training
• CASAS Implementation Training
• Employment and Earnings Follow-up Survey
• 2026–27 Program Year Inquiry (available in Surveys)

For further information, please visit the WIOA, Title II: AEFLA Grant Information 2025–26 web page.

Before beginning the first claim, agencies are reminded to review the ECR Guidelines which are updated annually. This year’s updates include changes and expectations for the non-federal reporting process. Please take a moment to review the ECR Guidelines PDF. This information is also repeated on the Information and Guidelines page before clicking the blue button to access the ECR data entry page.

The CIP including the recorded webinar, supporting resources, the CIP Plan Guide (Word Document) and the CIP portal are now available and can be accessed from the CIP web page within the reporting site. Plan to review the webinar and develop a list of questions. Extra support is available. Sign up for virtual Office Hours with subject matter experts on the Professional Development Calendar. The CIP is due no later than Thursday, April 30, 2026.

The 2026–27 Program Year Inquiry is now open and due, January 31, 2026. The inquiry is located on the Survey web page within the reporting site. Agency responses directly impact award notifications as it provides the AEO information needed to adjust program funding and ensure staff accuracy. Failure to reply timely could result in a delayed ability to spend funds for next year until an amendment is processed. The estimated time to complete this inquiry is less than five minutes.

Neither a signature nor an approval is required when responding, but it is recommended the inquiry be completed by your agency’s Adult Education Director or a staff member with the OAR Role of an Approver or OAR Admin.

California’s Unified Strategic State Plan brings together partners under the WIOA. The plan guides elements of public policy, investment in workforce funding, and operation of the state’s workforce and education systems.

The US Department of Labor requires states to review and submit modifications to their State Plans at the two-year point that reflect any changes in the labor market and economic conditions, or other factors affecting implementation. California’s plan is now available for public comment. The workforce development community is encouraged to review the newly published State Plan and submit comments by Wednesday, February 11, 2026. More information is available at: CA Unified Strategic Workforce Development Plan | CWDB

Payment Point Attestation Letter responses were due December 15, 2025. We appreciate the responses that were submitted timely as this deliverable plays an important part in future funding for your agency and provides transparency of the data match process. If your agency has questions regarding this process or if technical assistance is needed, please reach out to your Adult Education Regional Consultant to request further discussion.

Did you remember to save the date for Steps to College 2026 (STC), the largest bilingual & binational university fair in Northern California? The STC event opens at nine a.m. on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at Cal Expo, Buildings A and B, 1600 Exposition Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95815. For more information visit: https://stepstocollegesac.org and the STC video at https://youtu.be/ANc_aKtjLzQ.

If you have any questions, please contact the AEO 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