[CA] September 2026 CALPADS Updates: Six Actions for LEAs

The September 2026 CALPADS Regional Update Meetings focused on preparing Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) for the 2026–27 Fall 1 and Fall 2 reporting cycle.

Along with submission preparation, the CDE and California School Information Services highlighted several operational changes requiring coordination among CALPADS administrators, student information system teams, special education staff, multilingual program staff, nutrition services, and Title I coordinators.

Here are six actions LEAs should prioritize.

1. Prepare Every CALPADS User for MFA

Multifactor authentication becomes mandatory for all CALPADS users on September 15, 2026.

The second authentication method uses the email address associated with each CALPADS User ID. Before implementation, LEA administrators should confirm that:

• Every user has a person-specific email address.
• Generic or shared email addresses are not assigned to user accounts.
• Users know that they must select their email address during login to request the verification code.
• Local IT teams are prepared to investigate delayed or blocked authentication emails.

Users may activate MFA early through September 14 by selecting Activate MFA when logging in. Beginning September 15, MFA will be required automatically.

Review CALPADS Update Flash #330 for the complete login requirements.

2. Review Language Instruction Program Records

Every English learner should have an appropriate Language Instruction Program (LIP) record. Before Census Day, multilingual program staff and CALPADS administrators should confirm that each student’s reported program matches the services and instructional model being provided.

Important reminders from the regional meeting include:

• English learners must have a qualifying LIP record.
• Non-English learners do not automatically require a LIP record.
• A LIP record may be reported voluntarily for non-English learners participating in a program designed to support bilingualism or biliteracy.
• Students whose parents have opted them out of English learner services should be reported using the applicable opt-out program code.
• Existing LIP records generally remain open until the student changes or exits the program; LEAs should not create unnecessary duplicate annual records.

Use CALPADS Reports 2.14 and 2.15 to review program counts and student-level records. The CALPADS LIP Count reporting guide provides the applicable program codes and report logic.

3. Strengthen the Monthly Direct Certification Process

California public school districts, charter schools, and county offices of education must conduct Direct Certification matching through CALPADS every month.

To improve the accuracy of each monthly match:

• Update enrollment records before the beginning of the month.
• Run the Direct Certification extract for the full academic year beginning July 1.
• Save each detailed extract locally because results change as students enroll in or exit the LEA.
• Reconcile results with nutrition-services records.
• Establish documented ownership, review dates, and handoffs between CALPADS and nutrition staff.

The CDE’s Direct Certification requirements confirm that monthly matching applies to public school districts, charter schools, and county offices of education, including schools operating Community Eligibility Provision or Provision 2.

4. Coordinate CARS and Title I Reporting Early

CARS designations affect what CALPADS expects for Title I reporting. CALPADS administrators should coordinate with federal-program and CARS staff before applicable CARS forms close.

The reporting distinction is important:

If a Targeted Assistance School has no qualifying Program Code 122 records, the LEA may receive fatal certification validation CERT097 during End-of-Year reporting.

LEAs should validate Schoolwide and Targeted Assistance designations early, confirm that certified CARS information is accurate, and document the staff responsible for correcting discrepancies.

Review the CALPADS CERT097 guidance for the applicable reporting requirement.

5. Prepare SIS and Staffing Data for Fall 2

The 2026–27 rollover introduced significant staff and course-section changes affecting Fall 2.

Four older Job Classification codes—12, 25, 26, and 27—were retired or consolidated. Teachers are now reported using:

• Code 13: Teacher, Instructional Assignments
• Code 14: Teacher, Non-Instructional Assignments

The Course Section Enrollment file also includes two new optional indicators:

• Field 9.37: Itinerant Teaching Assignment
• Field 9.38: Pull-Out/Push-In Teaching Assignment

Teachers with itinerant or pull-out/push-in assignments should be reported with Job Classification Code 13 and the applicable CRSE indicator. LEAs should confirm that SIS file layouts, staff classifications, course data, and credential-review processes reflect these changes.

Additional definitions and scenarios are available in CALPADS Update Flash #326.

6. Use the CALPADS Roadmaps as Team Tools

The Fall 1 and Fall 2 roadmaps include submission requirements, documentation, reporting guidance, and downloadable checklists.

LEAs can use the checklists to:

• Assign tasks to specific staff members.
• Set internal completion dates.
• Monitor errors and report review.
• Identify cross-department dependencies.
• Document completion and follow-up.
• Prepare new CALPADS users for submission responsibilities.

Download the checklist and place it in a shared workspace where CALPADS, SIS, SPED, multilingual, nutrition, and program staff can review progress together.

The Fall 1 Reporting Roadmap and Fall 2 Reporting Roadmap provide the current guidance.

What LEAs Should Do Now

Prioritize the following actions:

• Confirm user email addresses before MFA becomes mandatory.
• Review English learner and LIP records before Census Day.
• Establish a monthly Direct Certification workflow.
• Meet with CARS and Title I staff to confirm program designations.
• Verify that SIS and staff systems support the new Fall 2 codes and fields.
• Assign ownership through the Fall 1 and Fall 2 checklists.

Early coordination reduces certification delays, prevents conflicting data across systems, and gives program staff time to validate information before deadlines.

Need help managing CALPADS data, reviewing reports, or coordinating submission responsibilities? Learn more about MeasureED’s CALPADS consulting services.