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).
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
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
| 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 |
| 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.
The definition of code 15 – Decline to State was clarified:
| Prior | New |
|---|---|
| Declined or unavailable | Only declined (not same as missing) |
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.
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!