The California Department of Education (CDE) has revised CALPADS validation rules for collecting parent/guardian information. These updates, released in Flash #302 (May 15, 2025), aim to improve data quality, simplify submissions, and better identify students for key accountability groups like Socio-Economically Disadvantaged (SED).
Why This Matters
Parent/guardian data supports:
- Accurate Statewide Student Identifier (SSID) matching
- Resolving multiple identifier issues
- Identifying foster, migrant, and SUN Bucks-eligible students
- Determining SED group inclusion for accountability
What’s Required vs. Encouraged
Strongly encouraged fields for better data quality:
- Guardian 1 and 2 names (first & last)
- Highest education level for both, if available
Required if names are provided:
- If Guardian 1 name is submitted, all three fields must be filled:
- First name
- Last name
- Highest education level
- Guardian 2 info is optional, but if entered:
- Both first and last names must be filled (or both left blank)
- Education level is encouraged but not required
New Validations Introduced
Parent/Guardian 1:
| Error Code | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|
| SINF0453 | If any field (name or education level) is filled, all 3 must be | Fatal Error |
| SENR0453F1 | Same as above, applied during Fall 1 | Data Discrepancy |
| SENR0453E3 | Same as above, applied during EOY 3 | Data Discrepancy |
Parent/Guardian 2:
| Error Code | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|
| SINF0635 | Names must both be filled or both blank | Fatal Error |
| SENR0635F1 / E3 | Same logic, for Fall 1 / EOY 3 | Data Discrepancy |
Old validations like “Missing Guardian Last Name” were removed to streamline logic.
Education Level Code Update
The definition of code 15 – Decline to State was clarified:
| Prior | New |
|---|---|
| Declined or unavailable | Only declined (not same as missing) |
Impact on SED Group Classification
A student is included in the SED group if:
| Parent 1 Code | Parent 2 Code | SED Included? |
|---|---|---|
| 14 (Not HS Grad) | 14 or Blank | ✅ Yes |
| 14 | 15 (Decline to State) | ❌ No |
| 15 | 14 | ❌ No |
| Both Blank | Both Blank | ❌ No |
Note: If Guardian 2 is provided, Guardian 1 must also be provided.
Final Notes
- These validations are now active.
- LEAs don’t need to retroactively update past records.
- Following these guidelines will help reduce errors and improve student data quality.
For more, see the CALPADS documentation and Flash #302.
Learn more about how the MeasureED Team provides CALPADS Support by connecting with a CALPADS Consultant today!
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