AB 1113 Signed into Law

Policy victories in Sacramento are rarely quick and rarely uncontroversial. Typically, a bill takes years to get signed, goes through multiple rounds of changes, and garners both support and opposition. This was no different for Assembly Bill 1113 by Assemblymember McCarty, sponsored by CA3.

AB 1113 was introduced in February 2023, setting CA3 into motion as the bill’s lead expert, cheerleader, and spokesperson. For the next several months, we consolidated support among community-based organizations, school districts, and advocacy groups that recognized the need for data on the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELO-P) so we can begin to measure outcomes and sustain the program years into the future. AB 1113 sailed through the legislative process; the bill did not receive a single “no” vote during its journey to the Governor’s desk. That record belies the hard work behind the scenes. Many hours of negotiation with committee staff, the Governor’s office, and the Department of Education to get it right; countless meetings to educate individual legislators; and numerous drafts of bill text and amendments led to this victory. So many in our sector made this effort possible: students and parents, expanded learning program directors and staff, and school district and county office leaders.

By the time the 2023 legislative session ended, AB 1113 had passed most, but not all, of the necessary stages to become law. Thankfully, the California State Legislature operates on a two-year session, so our bill still had a fighting chance when the Legislature reconvened in January.

After nearly two years, Governor Newsom signed AB 1113 in September 2024! ELO-P will now enter the statewide data system of the California Department of Education. For the 2025 school year, we will know how many students are accessing expanded learning opportunities and which students are not. By 2026, we will know where students are being served, and which students need more support. Down the road, we can better link expanded learning program usage to student outcomes: graduation rates, college attendance, and career opportunities. By understanding the impact of expanded learning investments, we’ll ensure these funds are used for their intended purpose of providing additional learning time and enrichment in a safe place for kids after the school day ends, especially for those who would not otherwise have access. This data will help ensure expanded learning is integrated and coordinated with the school day, help close opportunity gaps, and help protect ongoing funding for the next generation of students.

In 2022, CA3 sponsored AB 2507 (McCarty) to earmark a larger portion of expanded learning dollars for middle and high school students. AB 2507 was unsuccessful, but it got the ball rolling to address the fundamental issue of a lack of data on ELO-P. In addition to closing the data gap, AB 1113 declares that the state legislature intends to “provide equitable opportunities to pupils in grades 7 to 12, inclusive, with a welcoming and enriching space through afterschool programs.”

This victory was possible through deepening relationships around the state, building awareness, and utilizing the collective knowledge and passion of our state’s leaders in CA3. If you want to build on this momentum, join us!