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[CA] CALPADS Update Flash #305 – New Attendance & ELP Data Rules

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The California Department of Education (CDE) has introduced two new data collections for the 2025–26 school year, aimed at improving how schools report attendance and program participation. Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) must prepare now to collect and report data for:

  • Attendance Recovery (AR) Programs

  • Expanded Learning Programs (ELPs) like ELO-P, ASES, and CCLC/ASSETS.

Attendance Recovery Program (AR)

AR allows LEAs to recoup attendance-related funding when students make up absences outside regular school hours.

Key points:

  • Optional program for TK–12 students.

  • Allows recovery of up to 10 ADA days per student per year (or total absences, if fewer).

  • Sessions must occur outside regular hours and meet minimum time standards.

  • AR days are reported in the Student Absence Summary (STAS) file using a new field:
    13.24 – Attendance Recovery Days.

  • Days can be earned before or after absences occur or enrollment dates.

  • Students may “bank” AR days (e.g., during summer).

  • Absences due to suspensions are ineligible.

Example Scenario (from page 6):

Scenario Outcome
Student earns 5 AR days, then changes LEAs Only reportable if absences occurred in same LEA as AR days earned.
Student has 15 absences across 3 schools in an LEA Max 10 AR days may be submitted. LEA chooses how to distribute them across schools.

Expanded Learning Programs (ELPs)

This includes afterschool and enrichment programs like:

  • ELO-P (Expanded Learning Opportunities Program)

  • ASES (After School Education and Safety)

  • CCLC/ASSETS

New Reporting Requirements:

  • Data will be submitted through a new LEA-level LEAP file, not by school.

  • Every enrolled student must be reported—even if they never attended a session.

  • Use Code 194 for ELP participation.

  • Days attended are tracked using 26.07 – Expanded Learning Program Days.

Attendance tracking:

  • One day can be as little as 5 minutes or multiple hours.

  • Attendance is tracked at the LEA level, not by school.

  • Range: 0–300 days.

Key Differences: AR vs. ELP

Feature Attendance Recovery (AR) Expanded Learning Programs (ELPs)
File Submitted STAS LEAP
Max Days 10 per student 300 per student
Attendance Required Yes (based on minimum time) Any time counts as a day
School-Level Data Yes No, reported at LEA level
0-Day Submissions Optional Required if enrolled but no attendance

Next Steps for LEAs

  • Start collecting data in the 2025–26 fiscal year.

  • Review the CDE AR FAQ page.

  • Ensure systems can track required attendance details.

  • Coordinate with Student Information System (SIS) and afterschool program vendors.

LEAs are expected to submit this data during the 2025–26 CALPADS End-of-Year reporting cycle starting May 2026. For more support, contact the CDE’s Attendance Accounting or Expanded Learning Division.

Learn more about how the MeasureED Team provides CALPADS Support by connecting with a CALPADS Consultant today!