Key Takeaways from BOOST 2025 (Palm Springs, April 29 – May 2)
More than 4,000 educators and youth-development leaders converged on Palm Springs last week for the 2025 BOOST Conference, the nation’s largest gathering dedicated to after-school and expanded-learning programs. For Attendly, the event marked two firsts: our debut on the exhibit-hall floor and a sold-out Attendly Network Dinner that connected district partners from every corner of California.
The real headline came from the main stage. Michael Funk—Director of the Expanded Learning Division at the California Department of Education (CDE)—closed the plenary with a challenge:
“We’re at the trailhead of the brightest future I’ve ever seen. Whether we advance or stall will come down to mindset.”
Below are the themes that will separate tomorrow’s leaders from tomorrow’s laggards, plus a look at the Pioneers who are already driving the field forward.
1. Funding Tailwinds Are Strengthening
What’s new for FY 2025-26
Why it matters
+$435 million ongoing for ELO-P in the Governor’s budget
Drops the Rate 1 threshold from 75 % ➜ 55 % unduplicated pupils—unlocking premium funding for many mid-size LEAs.
Re-allocation of $443 million in unspent ELO-P (FY 23-24)
Instantly boosts Tier 2 from $1,580 ➜ $2,000 per student and gives districts an extra year to spend it.
Active talks to keep Tier 2 at $2,000 & raise the small-district floor
Long-term stability means programs can hire staff and plan multi-year growth instead of year-to-year scrambles.
Leader’s mindset: Invest forward.
Laggard’s mindset: Hoard cash.
2. Attendance Recovery Could Redefine “After School”
A pending trailer bill allows districts to recover ADA for chronically absent students through expanded-learning time—bankrolled by ELO-P dollars.
Leader’s mindset: Pilot recovery sessions this summer.
Laggard’s mindset: Wait for “perfect” guidance.
3. Data Goes Live on
July 1
(AB 1113)
CALPADS will begin collecting daily participation data for every ELO-P enrollee.
Leader’s mindset: Clean rosters now; automate uploads.
Laggard’s mindset: Kick the can and scramble later.
4. Mindset Is the Differentiator
Scarcity
Abundance
“How can I get by with less?”
“How can I do more with what’s available?”
Guard info, view peers as rivals
Share playbooks, grow the field
Pessimistic, risk-averse
Optimistic, opportunity-seeking
Funk’s verdict: embrace abundance or be left behind.
5. Strategic Plan 3.0: Joining the Wider Ecosystem
CDE is co-creating a whole-child “Strategic Plan 3.0” with health, workforce and mental-health partners (release: Fall 2026). Early adopters will shape policy—and funding—for the next decade.
Meet the
Pioneers
—Change Agents Inside Every District
Not everyone will lead this charge. The real momentum comes from a subset of district staff we call Pioneers:
- Role agnostic, mission obsessed. They could be directors, coordinators or site leaders—but they all push for better experiences for kids.
- Data-hungry. They ask hard questions about ADA, engagement and ROI—and act on the answers.
- Integration minded. They see expanded learning as a bridge to academics, wellness and workforce readiness.
- Bias for action. Pioneers pilot, iterate and share results—before anyone drafts a committee charter.
If this sounds like you, you’re exactly who Attendly wants to partner with. Reach out, and let’s build what’s next—together.
What’s Next for Attendly Partners
- ELO-P Rate Calculator (May release) – Model your FY 2025-26 allocation under the new 55 % rule.
- CALPADS Auto-Sync (July) – Zero-click uploads of daily participation.
- Attendance-Recovery Pilot – Ten pilot slots open; apply by May 15.
BOOST 2025 made one truth unmistakable: mindset and the Pioneers who embody it will define the winners. Let’s choose abundance—and lead the way.
Where Attendly fits
The five questions your attendance data should already answer
A short checklist for expanded learning and fiscal leaders before the next reporting window.
Get the checklist
