— CA3 Responds to 2024-25 California State Budget Proposal —

Governor Newsom Prioritizes Expanded Learning
Despite a Challenging Fiscal Year

 
 
 

In response to California’s proposed 2024-25 state budget, the California Afterschool Advocacy Alliance (CA3) issued this statement:

We are grateful for the Governor’s ongoing commitment to expanded learning (afterschool and summer learning programs) despite facing a projected deficit of $37.9 billion for California. With this budget proposal, the Governor proposes to maintain the $4 billion in ongoing funding for the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELO-P), keeping his promise to students and their families who rely on publicly funded programs throughout the state, especially to those who couldn’t otherwise afford them. CA3 stands strongly behind the Governor’s transformational investments for “reimagining the school day, extending the school year” through community schools, universal school meals, expanded learning opportunities, education workforce, and continued implementation of universal transitional kindergarten. These supports are interrelated and should be effectively coordinated together for a greater impact on students and families.

We have always known that learning happens outside of the traditional school hours, and we are excited to see the Governor’s recognition that expanded learning is a critical part of overall learning time for students, as seen in his proposal to provide “instructional continuity” and to count out-of-school time hours towards school attendance. We look forward to seeing the details of this attendance proposal and supporting greater collaboration and integration between the school day and afterschool programs.

Expanded learning programs boost the economic mobility of students and families by keeping kids engaged in school, preparing older students for college and career opportunities, and allowing parents to work a full day and year. We are seeing firsthand every day that ELO-P is having a significant impact in communities across the state: more districts are expanding access to and increasing the quality of their afterschool and summer programs, creating new opportunities for thousands of students to learn and grow. To ensure the continued success of this investment, the state needs to collect data that demonstrates the impact of expanded learning programs. The Governor and Legislature should require school districts to, at minimum, report the number of students enrolled in these programs.

We are also pleased to see funding maintained for elements of the education system that help kids, families, and educators thrive:

  • Community schools: expanded learning is an essential pillar of community schools.

  • Education workforce: connections to caring adults are critical to a young person’s educational and life success–both in and out of school. Afterschool staff are an integral part of this educator workforce, as well as a pipeline for a high-quality and diverse teaching sector.

  • Universal School Meals Program: expanded learning programs create a platform to address food security all day and all year.

  • Universal Transitional Kindergarten and child care: expanded learning programs can support early learners and their families all day and all year.

CA3 looks forward to working with the Governor and the Legislature to ensure that the investment in expanded learning programs continues to be successful in closing the opportunity gap.

ABOUT THE CALIFORNIA AFTERSCHOOL ADVOCACY ALLIANCE

California Afterschool Advocacy Alliance (CA3) is the statewide voice for expanded learning, including afterschool and summer learning programs. CA3 is a coalition of over 35 expanded learning providers and intermediaries from across the state representing the interests of hundreds of thousands of children, youth, and families who rely on publicly funded expanded learning programs throughout California, as well as the vibrant and dynamic workforce that makes these programs so special. ca3advocacy.com

CALIFORNIA AFTERSCHOOL ADVOCACY ALLIANCE MEMBERS

A World Fit for Kids; After-School All-Stars, Los Angeles; arc; BASE Programs; Bay Area Community Resources; California AfterSchool Network; California Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs; California School-Age Consortium; California State Alliance of YMCAs; California Teaching Fellows Foundation; Center for Creative Youth Development; Children Now; Clare Rose Foundation; Community Youth Ministries; EDMO; EduCare Foundation; Elevo; Envisioneers; Fight Crime: Invest in Kids; Heart of Los Angeles; Innovate Public Schools; InPlay; Keep Youth Doing Something; LA Boys and Girls Clubs Collaborative; LA Conservation Corps; LA STEM Collective; LA's BEST Afterschool Enrichment Program; Mission: Readiness; Para Los Niños; Partnership for Children & Youth; Sacramento Chinese Community Service Center; STAR Inc.; Team Prime Time; The Children's Initiative; Think Together; Woodcraft Rangers; YMCA of San Diego County

Contact

For more information on where and how ELO-P is having an impact in communities around the state and CA3’s budget priorities, contact Stephanie Pollick: stephanie@partnerforchildren.org, (510) 830-4200 x1616