​SAN JOSE, CA –  The Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) has released the CALPADS Rules Engine (CARE), a new tool designed to help school districts proactively find and fix California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System (CALPADS) data issues earlier, before data is submitted to the state. CARE reduces time-consuming efforts to resolve errors, which can become increasingly difficult once data is submitted.  

Accurate CALPADS reporting is critical as it contributes to the California School Dashboard​, ensuring accountability. Errors are found too late in the reporting process, with limited clarity about what caused them or how to resolve them quickly. CARE addresses this challenge by allowing districts to check their data earlier, using the same validation rules applied by the state, but presented in a clearer and more actionable way. 

Built within the SCCOE’s DataZone platform, CARE works with district data already housed in the system, eliminating the need for duplicative uploads or manual error checks. Results are displayed in digestible terms, making it easier for student services, data, informational technology, and program teams to collaborate around data quality. 

By improving data quality earlier in the process, CARE helps districts better support students, strengthens compliance, and ensures statewide reporting reflects an accurate and full picture of student needs. 

CARE reflects SCCOE’s ongoing commitment to developing shared, scalable data tools that reduce burden on districts while strengthening the quality and reliability of statewide reporting. Together, CARE and DataZone support a more proactive, collaborative approach to data governance and accountability. For more information about CARE, DataZone, or SCCOE’s CALPADS support services, visit https://www.datazone.org or contact support@datazone.org