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Dashboard Technical Guide

Access the details about each state and local indicator published on the California School Dashboard and learn how LEAs and schools are determined eligible for support.

What is the Dashboard Technical Guide?

The California School Dashboard (Dashboard) Technical Guide is the key to accessing extensive information on each state and local indicator reported on the 2026 Dashboard. The guide includes calculation formulas and business rules used to produce the data for state indicators. It also details the local indicators that are self-reported directly onto the Dashboard by local educational agencies (LEAs). The 2026 Dashboard Technical Guide will be published on October 15, 2026.

Guide Topics

Start your learning journey by accessing the links below:

  1. California's Accountability System and the Dashboard (Coming October 15, 2026)
    This initial section covers the following background on California’s accountability system and the general rules applied to produce the Dashboard state indicators:
    • California’s Integrated Accountability and Continuous Improvement System
    • Dashboard Overview
    • Who Gets a Dashboard
    • How Dashboard Colors are Determined
    • How Student Groups are Determined
    • LEA and School Type Definitions
    • District of Residence Rule for Students with Disabilities
    • What Data Are Used for the 2026 Dashboard?
    • General Business Rules (e.g., New Schools, Closed Schools, Rounding Rules)
  2. Dashboard State Indicators
    The following "mini-guides" contain calculation formulas and business rules used to produce each state indicator. Note that each mini-guide is formatted in the same order for ease of use.
    • Chronic Absenteeism (Coming October 15, 2026)
    • College/Career (Coming October 15, 2026)
    • English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics (Coming October 15, 2026)
    • English Language Arts Growth and Mathematics Growth (Coming October 15, 2026)
    • English Learner Progress (Coming October 15, 2026)
    • Graduation Rate (Coming October 15, 2026)
    • Science (Coming October 15, 2026)
    • Suspension Rate (Coming October 15, 2026)
  3. Dashboard Local Indicators (Coming October 15, 2026)- This Local Indicator mini-guide provides an explanation of local indicators, the performance standards for the local indicators, and links to additional information, such as the self-reflection tools for each local indicator.
  4. Criteria for Identification within the System of Support
    • Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) Assistance Criteria (Coming October 15, 2026)
    • Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Assistance Criteria (Coming October 15, 2026)
  5. Helpful Resources
    • Dashboard Performance Levels and Categories – Information on the California School Dashboard's Accountability determinations, inclusive of the five color-coded Performance Levels as well as the Performance Categories used to measure growth.
    • Dashboard Alternative School Status (DASS) 1-Year Graduation Rate (Coming December 2026) – This document includes information on the business rules used to calculate the DASS 1-year graduation rate.
    • Dashboard Communications Toolkit – Informative flyers, on-demand videos, and talking points that can be used to communicate the 2026 Dashboard to parents, educators, and communities.
    • California Dashboard and System of Support – Your direct entry to the Dashboard, supplementary reports, and supportive resources to help you navigate through California’s accountability system.

Archive

Questions:   Analysis Measurement and Accountability Reporting Division | Dashboard@cde.ca.gov
Last Reviewed: Wednesday, September 30, 2026
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