Opportunity Overview
The California Department of Education (CDE) has posted fiscal year 2026–27 allocations for the Literacy Coaches and Reading Specialists Grant Program. This is a state apportionment that supplements prior LCRS recipient funding. It is not a competitive application opportunity.
Funding
CDE lists $350,000,000 in total available funding for FY 2026–27. There is no required match. Funding is allocated proportionally to eligible LEAs based on the statutory appropriation and the eligible school-site grant amounts previously received under the cited LCRS cohorts.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants are California local educational agencies, but eligibility is predetermined at the school-site level. Only school sites that received LCRS funds in FY 2022–23, FY 2023–24, or FY 2025–26 are eligible for the FY 2026–27 supplemental funding. School sites that ceased operation by July 1, 2026, do not receive additional funding.
Opt-Out Deadline and Action Required
The relevant date is the September 30, 2026 opt-out deadline. CDE does not publish a clock time or time zone for that deadline. No action is required if an eligible LEA elects to accept funding for all eligible school sites. An eligible LEA uses CDE’s web-based Opt-Out Form only if it intends to decline participation and funding for one or more eligible school sites.
Program Purpose and Allowable Direction
The funding supports development and sustainability of school literacy programs, including English language development, dual language immersion, programs for multilingual learners, literacy coaching and specialist capacity, and interventions for pupils needing targeted literacy support. Funds remain available for encumbrance through June 30, 2031, and participating LEAs must submit the required final report to CDE by June 30, 2031.
Atlas Fit Analysis
Atlas Opportunity Score: 62/100. This is a substantial, verified California education funding program, but the recipient universe and allocation amounts are predetermined and there is no competitive application pathway for new applicants.
N9+ Fit Score: 0/100. The controlling CDE materials establish a literacy-program, coaching, training, and intervention purpose and do not establish a legitimate N9+ device, telehealth, clinical, or QC Healthcare procurement pathway. Atlas should not force a healthcare or direct-vendor fit.
Current Atlas Action
Publish for California education funding awareness and existing recipient planning. Do not initiate new cold applicant outreach from this listing because there is no open competitive application and eligibility is predetermined. Eligible LEAs that accept all allocations require no opt-out submission. LEAs declining funding for one or more eligible sites should use the official CDE Opt-Out Form by September 30, 2026.
Program questions: Professional Learning Innovations Office, PLIO@cde.ca.gov. Fiscal questions: Categorical Allocations and Audit Resolution Office, CAAR@cde.ca.gov.
Controlling sources: CDE FY 2026–27 Funding Profile; CDE FY 2026–27 Funding Results; CDE LCRS Opt-Out Form.