The new law gives districts more flexibility with after-school dollars. It lets schools that already receive state and federal grants for after-school programs use more of that money for summer classes.

Steven Wirt is with Partnership for Children and Youth. The Oakland-based non-profit lobbied for the new law…which also allows students to take summer classes in neighboring districts.   

"With all the budget cuts happening in California, many schools in low income communities can't afford to do their own summer programs. So this allows students from surrounding neighborhoods and school districts to enroll at that program which might be funded near their home or their school."

Wirt points out - there's no additional cost to the state because the new law deals with existing funds.