With the Attendance Recovery (AR) program taking effect in the 2025–2026 fiscal year, California districts are beginning to plan how to integrate AR into their expanded learning and instructional strategies. The legislation provides clear opportunities to recover ADA funding and support student learning, but the practical work of implementation—staffing, compliance, program design, and scheduling—can be complex.
At Kodely, we work closely with districts across California to design and deliver high-quality expanded learning programs. As districts plan for AR, we’ve identified a set of strategies that can help ensure successful implementation.
Align AR With District Goals
The most effective AR programs are built with a clear purpose. Rather than simply offering make-up sessions, leading districts are integrating AR into their larger goals around attendance improvement, academic support, and family engagement.
When AR sessions are thoughtfully planned to reinforce grade-level standards and support instructional priorities, districts are able to both recover ADA and strengthen student learning outcomes. Kodely has supported districts in aligning their enrichment and academic programming to these broader goals, ensuring AR complements rather than duplicates existing efforts.
Integrate AR With Expanded Learning Programs
Operating AR alongside Expanded Learning Opportunity Programs (ELO-P) can maximize both funding and impact. AR and ELO-P have distinct requirements—such as certificated supervision for AR and separate audit reporting—but with careful coordination, they can be run in parallel at the same site and time.
Kodely’s work with districts has shown that this combined model is often the most efficient. Districts can use their ELO-P infrastructure as the operational backbone, while layering in standards-aligned AR instruction led by certificated staff. This approach reduces startup costs, expands student access, and maintains compliance with both sets of requirements.
Leverage Existing Staff and Infrastructure
Many districts already have robust after-school operations in place. Kodely helps districts tap into this existing capacity—using current sites, communication channels, and routines to deliver AR sessions with minimal additional overhead. Our programs are designed to be plug-and-play for districts, making it easier to meet Education Code requirements without building entirely new systems.
Design Engaging, Standards-Aligned Sessions
The state requires AR activities to be aligned to grade-level standards and substantially equivalent to the regular instructional program. That does not mean sessions must be dry or repetitive. Kodely specializes in designing hands-on, project-based sessions that meet academic standards while keeping students engaged. Districts can recover ADA while offering experiences that feel meaningful, not remedial.
Plan for Compliance and Sustainability
Because AR introduces new audit and supervision requirements, clear operational systems are essential. Kodely works with districts to structure programs that meet staffing ratios, documentation standards, and supervision rules under EC §46211. Our implementation model helps districts avoid compliance gaps while ensuring programs are financially sustainable.
A Strategic Partner for Attendance Recovery
Attendance Recovery represents a significant opportunity for districts—but it requires thoughtful planning to do well. By aligning AR with instructional goals, integrating it with ELO-P, leveraging existing infrastructure, and designing engaging content, districts can recover funding while improving student outcomes.
Kodely partners with districts statewide to deliver scalable, standards-aligned programs that meet both AR and ELO-P requirements. Whether you need support designing sessions, training certificated staff, or managing logistics, our team can help build a strong foundation for 2025–2026 and beyond.