CDE Template

The state SARC template was created in November of 2001. The Policy and Evaluation Division of the California Department of Education was asked by the legislature to do the following when creating the SARC template:

1. Save the district staff the time required to retrieve data.
2. Standardize the data definitions.
3. Provide a technical reference in an electronic format that expresses the data in its most detailed form.
   

Though the template accomplishes these three goals, there are many things lacking. The template is just that- a "template" with which to start. It was not designed to be readily published and made available to parents. In fact, the district office and site principals must struggle to add a great deal of information themselves. The template is often overwhelming due to the sheer abundance of dry data. It fails to provide a variety of interesting and colorful formats in which to present the data and ultimately keep the reader interested.

School Districts are not required to use the state template. In fact, it is elective. SB1632 states, "A school or school district that chooses not to utilize the standardized template adopted pursuant to this section shall report the data for its school accountability report card in a manner that is consistent with the definitions." Academia Publishing produces SARCs that are consistent with all applicable laws and definitions. Our SARCs capture and maintain a reader's attention while educating and informing them on important issues. Furthermore, our SARCs are professional documents that parents, the community, and educators will want to read.