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2022 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 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).

Guide Topics

Start your learning journey by accessing the links below:

  1. California’s Accountability System and the Dashboard (DOCX)

    This initial section covers the 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?
      • Alternative Schools: Dashboard Alternative Schools Status (DASS)
    • Reporting Status Levels Only on the 2022 Dashboard
      • Who Gets a Status Level?
    • How are Student Groups Determined?
    • LEA and School Type Definitions
    • District of Residence Rule for Students with Disabilities
    • What Data Are Used for the 2022 Dashboard?
    • General Business Rules (e.g., New Schools, Closed Schools, Rounding Rules)

  2. Dashboard State Indicators

    Each state indicator “mini-guide” contains the indicator's calculation formulas and business rules, and all are formatted in the same order for ease of use. Additionally there is a mini-guide explaining the modified methods for DASS schools and a link to the Status Cut Scores used for the 2022 Dashboard.

  3. Dashboard Local Indicators (DOCX) – 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. System of Support

  5. Helpful Resources

    • Dashboard Alternative School Status (DASS) (DOCX) – This document includes information on: (1) the U.S. Department of Education’s denial of using modified methods for DASS schools for accountability, (2) California’s commitment to reporting the DASS graduation rate for informational purposes, and (3) the business rules used to calculate the DASS graduation rate.
    • 2022 Dashboard Communications Toolkit – informative flyers, webinar slide decks, and talking points that can be used to communicate the 2022 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

  • 2020 and 2021 Data Releases
    Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the production of state indicators was suspended for the 2020 and 2021 Dashboards based on Senate Bill 98, Assembly Bill 130, and waiver approval by the U.S. Department of Education. Therefore, technical guides were not produced during these years. However, the California Department of Education (CDE) did release data for informational purposes, which can be accessed through the 2020 and 2021 Data Releases web page.
  • 2019 Dashboard Technical Guide (PDF)
  • 2018 Dashboard Technical Guide (PDF)

Questions: Analysis Measurement & Accountability Reporting | Dashboard@cde.ca.gov | 916-319-0863 
Last Reviewed: Thursday, May 4, 2023