[CA] CALPADS Annual Back-to-School Letter

Key Updates for 2024-25 CALPADS Data Collection

The California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System (CALPADS) plays a crucial role in managing and using student data across the state. This system helps in multiple critical areas such as accountability, assessment registration, and determining student benefits. The 2024-25 school year introduces several important updates that Local Educational Agencies (LEAs), Special Education Local Plan Areas (SELPAs), and administrators should be aware of.

Important Takeaways

• Successful Certifications: LEAs and SELPAs have done a remarkable job certifying all data submissions on time for the 2024-25 school year. This accomplishment is acknowledged and appreciated by the California Department of Education (CDE).

• Use of CALPADS Data:

  • The data feeds directly into the California School Dashboard, the state’s accountability system.
  • It's also essential for operational purposes like registering students for statewide assessments and determining eligibility for various student benefits.

• Critical Deadlines:

  • LEAs and SELPAs must ensure that they meet strict deadlines, as missing them could result in being placed in Differentiated Assistance (per SB 114).
  • The major submission deadlines for Fall 1 and Fall 2 are outlined, with SELPA approvals encouraged by December 13, 2024, for Fall 1 submissions.

• Fall 1 and Fall 2 Submission Details:

  • Fall 1 submission data is crucial for determining funding through the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF).
  • Fall 2 data is used to populate the California State Assignment Accountability System (CalSAAS) and helps track certificated staff assignments.

• End-of-Year Deadlines:

  • The 2024-25 End-of-Year (EOY) data submission deadlines have been moved up one week to align with the accelerated publication dates for the Dashboard. The final deadline is August 8, 2025.

Ongoing Maintenance of CALPADS

• Real-Time Data Usage:
  • LEAs are encouraged to maintain and update CALPADS data continuously throughout the year. This ongoing maintenance is critical for supporting day-to-day operations such as registering students for assessments and tracking transfers, English learners, and students with disabilities.
• Operational Impact:
  • CALPADS data is used monthly to identify students eligible for free/reduced meals, weekly to identify foster youth, and helps monitor if students are receiving proper services.
  • These data are also vital for monitoring compliance with federal and state laws, including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Final Thoughts

The importance of keeping CALPADS data up-to-date cannot be overstated. LEAs must ensure that their staff are well-supported and that the data collected is accurate and timely. This will ensure compliance with state regulations and the ability to serve students effectively. Missing any deadlines will leave no room for amendments, so attention to timelines is critical.

Click here to learn more about MeasureED's CALPADS Support services!