California's Data System
Other resources
The development of a comprehensive education data system for California has been in the works for years. But insufficient state funding, as well as disagreement over governance and data management, have slowed its development.
However, to fully comply with NCLB accountability requirements, California has to be able to monitor individual student enrollment history and achievement data over time, which it could not do with its existing system. Since 2002, California has been working to develop two systems that would monitor student (CALPADS) and teacher (CALTIDES) data.
Update: In July 2011, the governor eliminated funding for CALTIDES from the state budget. As a result, California was forced to return a $6 million federal grant. CALPADS, which also was threatened with elimination earlier, was funded and is currently being used to collect student data from schools and districts statewide.
Related Publications
EdSource Data Briefs
EdSource is creating a series of data briefs that explore issues related to the developement of a comprehensive data system in California. The first two briefs in this series are now available online:
Making California's New Data System Work: Quality is Key February 2009California's Emerging Education Data System: A Status Report October 2008



