CalPADS better, but data disappointments persist
Published: June 22, 2010
After a recent independent evaluation concluded that the problem-plagued California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System is significantly “more stable” and “better performing” than it was two months ago, the California Department of Education has set new deadlines for local educational agencies to submit so-called “fall 1” enrollment, graduation and dropout data using the complex system.
The May 20 report by Sabot Technologies said that CalPADS contractor IBM had identified and was close to fixing more than 200 problems that made the system so difficult to use that the state suspended all data-filing deadlines earlier this year and ordered IBM to conduct a 60-day overhaul. Sabot reported that it’s still too early to tell whether the system is capable of operating as planned but added that prospects are good if present trends continue.
The new deadlines require LEAs with fewer than 1,000 students to file fall 1 data using CalPADS by June 24; those with enrollments greater than 1,000 have until Aug. 5. In a May 13 notice to users posted on the CDE website, state officials said they will allow LEAs with June 24 deadlines to request extensions depending on “their specific circumstances.”
Keric Ashley, director of CDE’s data management division, said more than 300 of the state’s 1,500 LEAs have already certified their fall 1 data. He said the department is getting far fewer complaints and error reports from users than earlier this year. The Sabot report confirms that trend. It concludes that the system, which generated harsh criticism for flawed performance after its launch last fall, is now “generally well accepted by the users.”
The report sounded a relatively positive note on an issue that’s been a sore topic for CDE. In March, federal officials rejected the state’s application for the first round of Race to the Top school reform funds. State education officials had hoped to use some of the federal RTTT funds to expand CalPADS to support instruction and better measure student performance.
In May, the Obama administration delivered more bad funding news, with the announcement that the federal Institute for Education Sciences had decided not to fund California’s bid for a grant to support further development of its pupil data system. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell, who called the decision “deeply disappointing,” was also thwarted in his backing of legislation authored by Assembly Member Mary Salas, D-Chula Vista, that would have provided $32 million to provide technical support for LEAs to making the transition to CalPADS. The bill failed to make it out of committee this legislative session.