Public Data Dashboard Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - General

Public Data Dashboard FAQ: Understanding the Data

Updated: February 19, 2021

Why does the dashboard display data from different years? Why are some of the data from a year ago or more?

We report the most recent data available at the time the dashboard was published. In some cases, the most recent data available are from 1-2 years ago. An example of this is SBAC, which was not administered in 2019-20 due to COVID-19, so the most recent dataset available is from 2018-19.

What are the full definitions of the subgroup labels included under the “Select Program” drop-down filters?

  • English Learner: According to the CDE, English Learners are those students for whom there is a report of a primary language other than English on the state-approved Home Language Survey and who, on the basis of the state approved oral language (grades kindergarten through grade twelve) assessment procedures and literacy (grades three through twelve only), have been determined to lack the clearly defined English language skills of listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing necessary to succeed in the school's regular instructional programs.
  • Experiencing Homelessness: According to the CDE, the McKinney-Vento Act defines homeless children and youths as individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. This definition also includes:
    • Children and youths who are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason
    • Children and youths who may be living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, shelters
    • Children and youths who have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings
    • Children and youths who are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings, or
    • Migratory children who qualify as homeless because they are children who are living in similar circumstances listed above
  • Foster Youth: Students are designated as Foster Youth by the CDE, based on a weekly data file provided by the California Department of Social Services. More information is available here.
  • Public Housing: This group includes students who reside in San Francisco public housing based on addresses identified by the San Francisco Housing Authority. Single Resident Occupancy housing (SROs) are not included in this category.
  • Socio-Economically Disadvantaged (SED): According to the CDE, students are considered SED if:
    • Neither of the student's parents has received a high school diploma (code 14)
    • The student is eligible for or participating in the Free Meal program or Reduced-Price Meal program (code 181 or 182)
    • The student is eligible for or participating in the Title I Part C Migrant program (code 135)
    • The student was considered Homeless (code 191)
    • The student was Foster Program Eligible
    • The student was Directly Certified
    • The student was enrolled in a Juvenile Court School
    • The student is eligible as Tribal Foster Youth
  • Special Education: According to the CDE, students identified as participating in in the Special Education program should meet the following conditions:
    • SPED Education Plan Type (Field 14.24) = 100 (IEP/IFP), 150 (IFSP), or 200 (ISP), 
    • AND (Plan Set Start Date <= Reporting Period End Date and either ((Plan Set has no End date) or (Plan Set Exit Date >= Reporting Period Start Date)))
    • OR
    • Education Plan Type (Field 14.24) = 700 (Eligible, no ed plan, parent declined), or 800 (Eligible- no education plan (other reasons)
    • Prior to 2019-20, Identify SSID using: Source: Student Program Education Program Code (Field 3.13) = 144 (Special Education) AND Education Program Membership Code (Field 3.14) = 1 or 3 (Eligible or Participating)
    • When used as an NCLB Subgroup, Enrollment Status Code (Field 1.24) must = 10 (Primary)

On the Race/Ethnicity dashboard, what is “RaceX”?

“RaceX” is the unresolved race/ethnicity variable maintained by the District for each student. Based on the “Racial/Ethnic Identification” section of the enrollment form. Each box selected by the parent or guardian is included in RaceX.

How are the SEL/Culture-Climate constructs defined?

Please see this resource for an explanation of SEL/Culture-Climate constructs.

On the SEL/Culture-Climate visualization, what is meant by “favorability” and “% favorable”?

Please see this resource for an explanation of how constructs are scored for the annual Social-Emotional Learning/Culture-Climate survey.

This page was last updated on July 6, 2022