[CA] CALPADS Special Education Updates for 2026–27

The California Department of Education has issued CALPADS Update Flash #334, outlining CALPADS special education updates for the 2026–27 school year.

The Flash addresses Fall 1 special education data reporting, statewide training opportunities, changes to special education data, annual disproportionality calculations, and enrollment reporting for students with disabilities who graduate through an alternative diploma pathway.

These updates matter because special education data affects reporting accuracy, program oversight, and the information that LEAs and SELPAs use to review student services. Therefore, LEAs should begin coordinating with special education, CALPADS, student information system, and school-site teams before Fall 1 certification work becomes urgent.

Prepare for the Fall 1 Special Education Timeline

Flash #334 includes the CALPADS Fall 1 special education data submission timeline. A strong timeline should give teams enough time to review source records, resolve validation issues, and confirm that reports reflect local information.

LEAs should avoid treating Fall 1 as a task for one department. Special education data often requires coordination among:

• Special education program staff
• SELPA staff
• CALPADS coordinators
• Student information system staff
• Enrollment and school-site teams
• District leadership

Each team should understand which records it owns and when its review must be complete. Early coordination can reduce last-minute corrections and help prevent inconsistencies between local systems and CALPADS.

Review 2026–27 Special Education Data Changes

The Flash also announces Fall special education data changes for 2026–27. When CDE posts the full guidance, LEAs should review every affected field, code, validation, and report with the appropriate data owner.

A practical review process should include these steps:

1. Compare the new guidance with current local data-entry procedures.
2. Confirm whether the SIS or special education data system needs configuration changes.
3. Identify staff who need updated instructions or training.
4. Review available reports and validations before certification.
5. Document local decisions and correction procedures.

This process helps teams avoid a common reporting risk: updating a CALPADS record without correcting the source system that will later overwrite it.

Understand Changes to Disproportionality Calculations

Flash #334 also addresses a change in annual disproportionality calculations. These calculations can affect how LEAs review special education identification, placement, discipline, and outcomes.

Because the full guidance is not yet available on CDE’s public site, LEAs should wait for the official details before changing local practices. However, teams can begin preparing by confirming who reviews disproportionality-related reports and how district leaders receive information about unusual results.

Review Alternative Diploma Pathway Enrollments

The Flash includes guidance on enrollments for students with disabilities who graduate through an alternative diploma pathway.

Accurate enrollment and exit reporting is essential for these students. LEAs should review the published guidance carefully once available, then confirm that special education staff, registrars, and CALPADS staff apply the same process. A shared workflow can help prevent conflicts between enrollment records, completion information, and special education data.

Use Available Training Opportunities

CDE will also offer a 2026–27 CALPADS Special Education Data Statewide Virtual Roadshow and in-person deep-dive workshops. These sessions can help LEAs understand the new requirements and ask questions before reporting deadlines approach.

Consider sending staff who manage source data as well as staff who submit CALPADS records. This approach helps the entire team understand both the reporting requirement and the local process needed to meet it.

For the official Flash and training details, monitor the CDE CALPADS Communications page. Questions may be directed to CALPADS Support.

Need help preparing special education data, resolving CALPADS validations, or coordinating Fall 1 certification? Learn more about MeasureED’s CALPADS support or contact our team.