The California Department of Education (CDE) has released significant updates in CALPADS Update Flash #270, focused on the 2023-24 End-of-Year (EOY) submissions, specifically EOY 4, along with revisions to Special Education reporting and other pertinent adjustments. Below are the streamlined takeaways to guide Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) and Special Education Local Plan Areas (SELPAs) in navigating these changes:
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EOY 4 Submission Deadlines and Process:
- Submission Window Opening: May 8, 2024.
- Certification Deadline: July 26, 2024.
- Final Approval Deadline: August 16, 2024.
- LEAs and SELPAs are encouraged to address all fatal errors and complete their reviews by July 12 to ensure all data is accurate and approved by the deadlines.
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Visibility of Approval Buttons:
- Approval buttons for EOY 4 will remain hidden until two specific reports are available (Reports 16.22 and 16.23), expected by the end of June. This means LEAs should prioritize resolving errors and reviewing other reports in the meantime.
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Updated Reporting Requirements for EOY 4:
- New reports and changes have been incorporated following the redesign of special education files. These include modifications to existing reports and the introduction of new ones to enhance the accuracy and detail of special education data reporting.
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Guidance for Short-Term Transfers in County Offices of Education (COEs):
- Revised guidance now states that COEs do not need to adopt a student’s special education plan for transfers lasting 10 days or less. This adjustment aims to reduce administrative burdens and streamline reporting requirements.
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Defect Corrections and Report Downloads:
- A previously reported defect affecting Report 16.14 has been fixed. LEAs and SELPAs should download the revised "SELPA Approved" versions of affected reports to ensure data consistency.
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New Low Incidence Disability Reports:
- Two new reports are available, providing counts of students with low incidence disabilities. These reports are crucial for ensuring appropriate funding and support adjustments based on accurate disability data.
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Phased Implementation for Degree of Support Determinations:
- LEAs can adopt a phased approach to populate the "Degree of Support" field in the Special Education Plan file through 2025-26. This provides flexibility and sufficient time for LEAs to adjust to new requirements without immediate pressure.
These updates are part of the CDE's ongoing efforts to streamline data management processes within CALPADS, ensuring that LEAs and SELPAs can efficiently manage and report on special education data. It is crucial for all stakeholders to be aware of these changes and deadlines to maintain compliance and support the accurate reporting of educational data.
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