The Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) released a summary report of the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELO-P), including details of the Governor’s proposed January budget and their recommendations on the proposal.

The key takeaways from the LAO include:

Governor Proposes Significant Funding Increase and Modifications for Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP). The Governor’s budget increases ELOP funding—a new program created in 2021-22—from $1.7 billion in 2021-22 to $4.4 billion in 2022-23 and modifies its tiered funding structure and per-pupil rates, among other changes. The budget also provides $937 million one-time funding for ELOP to be spent primarily on arts and music infrastructure.

Long Term Expectations Are Unclear, Program Requirements May Not Align With Funding Structure. Given the significant increase in funding for ELOP, the Governor’s proposal raises several important issues regarding how the program would operate in the long term. In particular, the tiered rate structure and associated programmatic requirements are not well aligned, as funding appears more generous for lower-poverty districts when considering their lower programmatic requirements. Moreover, there is uncertainty about the programmatic requirements for districts in the long run.

Recommend Adopting Ongoing Funding Increase With Modifications. We recommend the Legislature provide a uniform rate per English learner and low-income student, and require districts to provide access to every English learner or low-income student interested in the program. This approach would allow districts to better plan and build out their programs, and ensure the students with the greatest need for expanded learning opportunities have guaranteed access to these programs, regardless of which district they attend. We recommend rejecting the $937 million in one-time funding for arts and music infrastructure, as there is no clear justification for the funding and districts will have unspent funding from 2021-22 and 2022-23.

Access the full report.

About the LAO

The Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) has provided fiscal and policy advice to the Legislature for 75 years. It is known for its fiscal and programmatic expertise and nonpartisan analyses of the state budget. The office serves as the “eyes and ears” for the Legislature to ensure that the executive branch is implementing legislative policy in a cost efficient and effective manner. Learn more.