State Schools Chief Jack O'Connell
Urges Support for Quality Data Bill
"As we fight to bolster student academic achievement and lower the dropout rate, I cannot emphasize the critically important need for a quality student data system in order to make the appropriate policy decisions to help students," said O'Connell. "The state relies on districts to produce, maintain, and report accurate student achievement data in CALPADS that is integral to how statewide policy decisions are made. School districts are already burdened with huge budget cuts and layoffs and they do not have the resources necessary to hire and train staff to maintain the accuracy of student achievement data. If we lack the quality and accurate data the state demands, CALPADS will be undermined. Ultimately, students will not be well-served by the state."
"It is imperative we ensure that parents, teachers, education stakeholders, policy makers, and the state have the most accurate student data needed to improve California's public education system," said Assemblywoman Mary Salas (D-Chula Vista). "I am proud to author AB 2265 and will continue to work with the Superintendent to increase the necessary resources to obtain quality data."
If passed, AB 2265 would establish the Accurate Student Achievement Data Act of 2010 to provide an annual $32 million grant program. The measure would provide $5 per enrolled pupil or $5,000 for small local educational agencies (LEA) each year to help support the new workload associated with collecting, maintaining, and submitting data into CALPADS. The data system is close to full implementation. CALPADS is designed to help LEAs accurately monitor and report dropout and graduation figures and student performance data over time. The data system is also designed to help the state provide a clear picture of dropout, graduate, and retention rates that will drive education policy decisions.
CALPADS was created in 2001 in response to the passage of the federal No Child Left Behind Act that required increased accountability for student achievement. This represented a fundamental shift from LEAs submitting aggregate versus student-level data to the state. By using student-level data, the state can more accurately calculate dropout and graduation rates and track student achievement over time versus relying on formulas to calculate the rates. CALPADS also allows LEAs to acquire more timely information about incoming students to accommodate and respond to the growing needs of California's students.
For more information on AB 2265, please visit AB 2265 (Outside Source).
