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Academic Indicators FAQs

The most frequently asked questions about the Academic Indicators used for the California School Dashboard.
I have the same number of students testing for English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics but my participation rates appear very different. How is this possible?
Is participation rate the same thing as completion rate (in Test Operations Management System [TOMS])?
Are early graduates (grade 11) included in the participation rate?
Do I need to test all my students, even those with the highest cognitive disabilities?
How do parent opt-outs affect the participation rate?
A student left my school before the testing window opened but they are still showing up in TOMS – will this affect my participation rate?
If English Learner (EL) student took the ELA test on accident, will it still be used in my DFS calculation? If an English Learner (EL) student who has been in the US for less than one year took the ELA test on accident, will it still be used in my DFS calculation?
A student logged onto the test but did not complete testing. Will they count against my participation rate?
A student left in the middle of testing but did not start any of the assessments. Will I be held accountable for their test?
Does the 95% requirement apply to student groups as well?
Where can I view my school or district participation rates?
What happens if I do not reach the 95% participation rate?
A student left my school during the LEA selected testing window but before we tested any students. Will they affect my participation rate?
Why are my completion reports on the Test Operations Management System (TOMS) not the same as my participation rate on the dashboard?

Growth Model

The State Board of Education (SBE) adopted a student-level growth measure in 2021.

Action would need to be taken by the State Board of Education to add growth scores to the Academic Indicator on the California School Dashboard, or to replace DFS with any other measurement such as growth scores.

Questions:   Analysis Measurement and Accountability Reporting Division | Dashboard@cde.ca.gov
Last Reviewed: Thursday, November 14, 2024