2025-26 Statewide Technical Assistance for Charter Schools Funding Competition

The California Department of Education (CDE) is offering funding through the 2025–26 Statewide Technical Assistance for Charter Schools (STACS) Subgrant competition, administered under the Public Charter Schools Grant Program (PCSGP). This federal discretionary program, authorized under Title IV, Part C of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act, supports charter school development and improvement. The CDE was awarded approximately $93 million in federal funds for 2024–29 and is using a portion to expand and enhance statewide dissemination of high-quality technical assistance and best practices in five topic areas: English Learners (EL), Special Education (SPED), Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Students (SED), Career and Technical Education (CTE), and Innovative Strategies. Awards will fund activities in fiscal years 2025–26, 2026–27, and 2027–28. The purpose of the STACS Subgrant is to support California-based local educational agencies (LEAs), county offices of education (COEs), and education non-profit organizations in delivering statewide technical assistance programs. Applicants may apply for one or more of the five topic areas, with funding decisions based on qualifications and CDE needs. Required subgrant tasks include recruitment, delivery of subject matter expertise, conducting best practices webinars, facilitating continuous improvement networks, and participating in planning meetings with CDE staff. The initiative aims to improve outcomes for target student groups, enhance program quality, and ensure dissemination of best practices to both charter and traditional public schools. Funding available totals $1,230,000, with an estimated $246,000 allocated per topic area over the grant term. The term runs from November 1, 2025, to June 30, 2028, with potential extension at CDE’s discretion. Eligible expenditures include staff salaries and benefits for subgrant activities, travel at state-approved rates, necessary supplies, services, and approved subcontractor costs. Equipment purchases and food costs not associated with travel are prohibited. All funds are distributed on a reimbursement basis, requiring quarterly expenditure and progress reporting, along with a comprehensive final report at the end of the grant term. Eligible applicants must be legally constituted, qualified to operate in California, in good standing with the California Secretary of State, and experienced in providing statewide technical assistance to charter schools. Applicants must provide evidence of substantial expertise in their selected topic areas and include required appendices such as resumes, letters of support from specified entities, a technical assistance portfolio, and documentation of System for Award Management (SAM) registration. For-profit entities are not eligible to apply or participate as partners. Applications open August 6, 2025, and are due by September 22, 2025. A technical assistance webinar will be held on August 19, 2025, to guide applicants through the process. Review and scoring will occur September 23 through October 3, 2025, with award notifications expected by October 9, 2025. All applications must be submitted electronically as a single PDF with authenticated e-signatures and must follow strict formatting and content requirements outlined in the RFA. Evaluation is based on organizational capacity, personnel resources, scope of work for each topic area, and budget alignment with program goals. Applications are scored using a detailed rubric, with separate scores calculated for each topic area applied for. Successful applicants will demonstrate capacity to deliver all required tasks, adhere to reporting timelines, and produce measurable outcomes in alignment with CDE’s performance objectives for the 2024 CSP grant cycle. For program questions, contact Tierney Allenby at tallenby@cde.ca.gov or 916-323-0482. For fiscal questions, contact Tamie Thompson at tthompson@cde.ca.gov or 916-319-0293. The Charter Schools Division can be reached at 916-322-6029.

Attend the August 19, 2025 technical assistance webinar for guidance on application completion, budget forms, and RFA requirements