July 2011 Web Standards Change Log

File Names
(Non-index Pages)

Tables
(Structure and Content)

New

Structure

Tables must be constructed as a standard grid where each row and column has the same number of cells. For example:

Each cell in the table must have content—no blank cells. When developing a table for the Web from a previous "print" model, consider using "N/A", "None", "0", or similar where blank cells previously existed.

Exceptions include the single upper-left cell when both a header row and header column are used. Also, if the last row of the table is used for totals or results, blank cells may be used where needed (e.g., the last cell in a percentage column).

When blank cells are used in these situations, table borders must be present for all cells.

Structure for Web Applications

In Web applications, cells can be merged if they can be programmatically associated with the appropriate header and cell contents. Otherwise, merged cells may not be used for data tables.

Content

Don't use of symbols as shortcuts for words, such as "X", or "-". Instead use "yes/no", or abbreviate actual content.

Any use of abbreviated content in tables must be preceded by a key.

Table header-rows and/or columns must be used and they must utilize the appropriate site colors (Contribute applies the correct background color for table header-rows if the top row and/or leftmost column are selected as header-rows.)

Intermediary blank or sub-header rows or columns are not allowed. When they are used for tables in the "print" model, intermediary blank or sub-header rows or columns often indicate complex multi-layered data layout that must be simplified in order to be considered accessible on the Web. Also, they often introduce blank cells, which are not allowed. To reformat for CDE Web sites, either add additional columns or rows to provide greater detail per row or column (this may introduce unavoidable redundancy), or split the table into multiple tables—usually at each intermediary blank or sub-header row or column. Hint: The intermediary sub-header title usually becomes the title of the new table.

Heading styles (e.g., <h1>, or Heading 1) may not be used in a data table header-row.

Each individual data item in a table cell must relate directly to the appropriate table header label(s).

Borders may or may not be used at the discretion of the page creator. If borders are used, use a 1 pixel width with the default color setting. If table borders are used, non-breaking spaces (&nbsp;) must be used in blank table cells.

Colors for Contribute Users

For most situations, percentage points should be used for table widths. A setting of 95% or less is required to allow enough white space for presentation.

If pixel widths are necessary, only a maximum width of 525 pixels is allowed.

Link Notations
(Document Information)

Macromedia Flash; Captivate: Flash

A modifying term must precede the calendar date. Modifying terms always have their first letter capitalized with their remaining letters in lowercase. The following modifying terms are allowed:

• Certified
• Corrected
• Dated
• Modified
• New
• Notice Published
• Posted
• Published
• Recertified
• Revised
• Updated
• Suspended

Web Application Development Standards
(Minimum Browser Standards)

Note, this standard has not changed, but the referenced Minimum Web Browser Requirements page has been changed.

The Web pages and Web-based applications hosted by the California Department of Education (CDE) require a minimum (or higher) Web browser of Microsoft Internet Explorer 7.0, Mozilla Firefox 3.6, Apple Safari 4, Google Chrome 10, or any other Web browser that is fully compatible with these browsers.

If you are not sure of the version of your browser, select Help in the menu bar of your browser and choose About.

Browser Download Links

If you need to upgrade your Web browser software, follow one of the links listed below:

Windows Only

• Microsoft Internet Explorer Downloads (Outside Source)

Windows or Macintosh

• Mozilla Firefox Product Page (Outside Source)
• Apple Safari Product Page (Outside Source)
• Google Chrome Download Page (Outside Source)

Additional Information

Some Web pages and Web-based applications hosted by the CDE require the Web browser to support Javascript (Outside Source) and to accept session-based cookies (Outside Source). By default, the major Web browsers are configured to handle this requirement.