CALPADS Update Flash #323

To:           Local Educational Agency (LEA) Representatives

From:      California Department of Education (CDE) –
                California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System (CALPADS) Team

Date:       April 3, 2026

Subject:  CALPADS Update FLASH #323

Education Data Collection System: 2025−2026 Collections

In the 2025−26 academic year, the Education Data Collection System (EDCS) will continue to collect data for the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB), the State Seal of Civic Engagement (SSCE), and the Supplemental SUN Bucks Collection (SSBC) programs.

The data submission windows are:

• Supplemental SUN Bucks Collection (SSBC): April 2, 2026 to September 30, 2026
• ASVAB: May 5, 2026 to August 28, 2026
• SSCE: May 5, 2026 to August 28, 2026

Each program is described briefly below. For more detailed information, Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) should refer to the California Department of Education (CDE) EDCS web page: https://www.cde.ca.gov/ds/dc/edcs.asp

Accessing the EDCS

Access to EDCS is granted to CALPADS LEA Administrators and staff authorized by them.

Users who submitted data during the previous collection will retain access. CALPADS LEA Administrators authorized on or before March 24, 2026, already have access, and their existing passwords remain valid (passwords may be reset if needed).

CALPADS LEA Administrators authorized after March 24, 2026, must request access by emailing educationdatacollection@cde.ca.gov.To request access for additional staff, the CALPADS LEA Administrator may:

• Log in to EDCS and select the “Request Access for Staff” link, which opens a form that is submitted to EDCS staff for processing. This is the preferred method; or
• Email educationdatacollection@cde.ca.gov with the subject line ‘EDCS Access Request’ and include the user’s name, position, email, phone number, LEA name, and CDS Code.

Once access is approved, users will receive an email with instructions to create or reset their password.

More information is available on the CDE EDCS Access web page: https://www.cde.ca.gov/ds/dc/edcsaccess.asp 

Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery Collection

ASVAB data continues to be evaluated by the State Board of Education (SBE) and the CDE for inclusion in the College/Career Indicator (CCI) on the California School Dashboard.

The submission process remains unchanged. LEAs are strongly encouraged to submit ASVAB results during the May 5, 2026 – August 28, 2026 submission window.

More information is available on the CDE EDCS web page: https://www.cde.ca.gov/ds/dc/edcs.asp

State Seal of Civic Engagement Collection

SSCE data continues to be evaluated by the State Board of Education (SBE) and the CDE for inclusion in the College/Career Indicator (CCI) on the California School Dashboard.

The submission process remains unchanged. LEAs that request SSCE insignias must submit data to EDCS for students who earned the SSCE, after insignias have been received and distributed.

More information is available on the CDE EDCS web page: https://www.cde.ca.gov/ds/dc/edcs.asp

Supplemental SUN Bucks Collection

LEAs participating in a federal meal program must submit specified data through the Supplemental SUN Bucks Collection (SSBC) to determine the eligibility for students not otherwise identified through existing data so they may receive SUN Bucks benefits.

LEAs must provide any one of the following data elements to EDCS for students who are not directly certified or categorically eligible (e.g., homeless, foster, or migrant):

• Date the student’s approved Universal Benefits Application (UBA) was received
• Date the student’s approved National School Lunch Program (NSLP) application was received
• Date benefits were extended based on another household member’s eligibility
• For students ages 0–5 or 19–21 (inclusive), the date of local direct certification

Updated instructions for importing SSBC data into EDCS are available here: https://www.cde.ca.gov/ds/dc/ssbcinstruct.asp

More information is available on the CDE EDCS web page: https://www.cde.ca.gov/ds/dc/edcs.asp