Last Updated on July 21, 2025
The California Governor’s 2025-26 budget increased ELOP funding by $526 million, making all districts with English learner and low-income shares of 55 percent or more eligible for the higher funding rate. At a time when funding is tight, California districts actually have more money to spend on expanded learning programs that specifically serve EL/LI student groups.
Listenwise and Lingolift subscriptions offer data-driven, high-quality tools to support English learner populations to achieve higher reclassification rates and improved state testing scores. Read more about how Listenwise and Lingolift support ELOP funding goals below.
What is ELOP Funding?
ELOP (Expanded Learning Opportunities Program) is a California initiative that provides state funding to school districts and charter schools to offer summer and after-school programs. ELOP funded programs are intended to focus on developing the academic, social, emotional, and physical needs and interests of pupils.
The 2025-26 budget extends the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program to grades TK-6 for districts where 55% or more of students are low-income students, English learners, or students in foster care. That means more funding for programs that specifically serve those student groups, paving the way for the sourcing and implementation of new support tools, such as Listenwise and Lingolift, to address the needs of English learners.
Choose Listenwise and Lingolift: ELOP Funding to Support English Language Learners
Listenwise
Listenwise enables students to comprehend grade-level topics and build their academic language through real-world media. Our platform leverages authentic podcasts and videos to develop literacy and language skills by emphasizing listening as a gateway to academic content.
Learn more:
- How Listenwise supports the four California EL roadmap principles.
- Listenwise’s instructional design supports CAASPP and ELPAC prep that can help with those notoriously difficult to raise listening domain scores.
- Read our Clovis USD case study: In 2024, Clovis USD students’ CAASPP scores showed improvement for all students — including ELs— while statewide listening scores for all students dropped.
Lingolift
Lingolift builds the foundational social and academic language that newcomers need. Our large collection of short educational videos teaches content and language together. Our unique “Watch, Learn, Speak” instructional sequence and teacher’s guides offer a powerful yet flexible tool for building newcomer skills as quickly as possible.
Learn more:
- Take a deep dive into Lingolift with our product tour.
- Watch this short clip to hear a California teacher’s take on using Lingolift with her newcomer MLs, plus get a list of her favorite Lingolift features.
Listenwise and Lingolift: Better Together
Schools and districts with high populations of newcomers and emergent multilinguals can add Lingolift to their Listenwise subscription to ensure that students of all levels of English language proficiency get access to high-quality, engaging content that supports language development and academic success.
How to Bring Listenwise and Lingolift to Your School or District
Does your district’s ELOP leader know about the benefits Listenwise and Lingolift offers your English language learners? Share this blog post with them to spread the word, or request a quote at the link below to start a conversation!
