Academic Indicators
These indicators, reported on the California School Dashboard, applies to LEAs and schools with students in grades 3–8 and 11.What are these Indicators?
The Academic Indicators consist of two content areas: English language arts/literacy (ELA) and mathematics. These indicators represent two of several state indicators that the California Department of Education (CDE) reports on the California School Dashboard
(Dashboard) and reflect how well students are meeting grade-level standards by reporting the average distance from standard (DFS).
These indicators are reported on the Dashboard for any local educational agency (LEA) and school who test students on the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments and California Alternative Assessments (CAA) in grades three through eight and grade eleven.
LEAs and schools are required to test at least 95 percent of all students and student groups in ELA and mathematics. If a LEA, school, or student group does not meet the 95 percent participation rate, the number of students needed to meet the participation rate must be factored into the results. See the Resources section below for more information.
New for 2026 Dashboard
At the State Board of Education (SBE) on March 11, 2026, the SBE approved the removal of grace periods from the participation rate calculation for the ELA, Mathematics, and Science Indicators beginning with the 2026 Dashboard and all future Dashboard publications. This action followed a review of an evaluation conducted by the CDE and consideration of feedback provided by educational partners.
Effective immediately for the 2025–26 administration of the ELA, Math and Science summative assessments, the California School Dashboard’s calculation of the participation rate will be inclusive of all students enrolled at an LEA/school between the first date of testing (in that subject area) and the final date of LEA’s chosen assessment window. In previous years, the Dashboard allowed a series of “grace periods” at the start and end of the testing period. These “grace periods” have been eliminated and will no longer be applied within Accountability calculations for the 2026 Dashboard.
Additional Reports
Designed for educators, the School Dashboard Additional Reports offer information and data beyond what are reported on the Dashboard, including summarized views across all state indicators. Several reports specific to this indicator are the:
- Five-by-Five English Language Arts Placement Report
- Five-by-Five Mathematics Placement Report
- Academic Participation Rate Report
Resources
General Information about the Indicator
Technical Information about the Indicator
- 2025 Dashboard Technical Guide - The technical guide is the key to unlocking how state indicators are calculated on the Dashboard. The technical guide is broken up into multiple "mini-guides" for ease of access and provides explanations on the calculation formulas and business rules.
- Information on the Participation Rate (PDF) - Access this flyer to learn how the federal participation rate requirement impacts the Academic Indicators.
- Translated Versions of the Participation Rate Flyer can be found on the Translation tab of the Dashboard Resources Webpage.
- Translated Versions of the Participation Rate Flyer can be found on the Translation tab of the Dashboard Resources Webpage.
- District of Residence Rule (PDF) -The District of Special Education Accountability rule for students with disabilities is applied to all state indicators. Download this flyer to learn more.
- Crosswalk Between the California School Dashboard and DataQuest(DOCX) -This document provides a short overview of the differences in the way that data are produced for the Dashboard and DataQuest.
- Downloadable Data Files: Academic Indicators - Access statewide LEA, school, and student group Dashboard ELA and mathematics indicator and participation rate results.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The Academic Indicators FAQs web page addresses the common questions received on this state indicator.
Additional Information about the Dashboard
- Connect to the Dashboard Measures tab on the Dashboard Resources web page to learn about other state indicators reported on the Dashboard.
- View the Dashboard Communication Toolkit to enhance your knowledge about the Dashboard.
- Resources for parents, educators, and those new to the Dashboard are available on the Dashboard Resources web page.
- Five-by-Five Colored Tables – Access the Status cut scores, Change cut scores, and Performance Levels (or colors) for each state indicator.
Archive
Prior Year Technical Guides have been archived and are available at the bottom of the current Technical Guide webpage.
Prior Year Dashboard Communication Toolkits have been archived and are available at the bottom of the current Dashboard Communication Toolkit webpage.