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CALPADS error brief · FRMT

FRMT0009

Invalid column count for file type
Severity Fatal
Error type Input Validation
Record type FRMT

Official CALPADS rule

What CALPADS is rejecting

Format for invalid column (fields) count based on file type

Focus fields

Fields validated

17.01 Record Type Code 17.02 Transaction Type Code 17.03 Local Record ID 17.04 Reporting LEA 17.05 School of Attendance 17.06 School of Attendance NPS 17.07 Academic Year ID 17.08 SSID 17.09 Local Special Education Student ID 17.10 Reporting SELPA 17.11 Education Program Participation Type Code 17.12 Postsecondary Status Code 17.13 Educational Institution Type 17.14 Industry Field 17.15 Post-High School Credential

Recommended correction path

Suggested resolution

CALPADS PSTS correction guide - Fatal input validation

FRMT0009: Invalid column count for file type

Format for invalid column (fields) count based on file type

Official Version 17.23 rule

Severity: Fatal   Type: Input Validation

Fields validated:

  • 17.01 Record Type Code
  • 17.02 Transaction Type Code
  • 17.03 Local Record ID
  • 17.04 Reporting LEA
  • 17.05 School of Attendance
  • 17.06 School of Attendance NPS
  • 17.07 Academic Year ID
  • 17.08 SSID
  • 17.09 Local Special Education Student ID
  • 17.10 Reporting SELPA
  • 17.11 Education Program Participation Type Code
  • 17.12 Postsecondary Status Code
  • 17.13 Educational Institution Type
  • 17.14 Industry Field
  • 17.15 Post-High School Credential

First identify the correct PSTS reporting lane

CPA or CTE lane

Program type
10 or 20
Follow-up
Approximately six months
Submission
Fall 2
Reporting SELPA
Blank
Conditional detail
May be required

Special Education lane

Program type
30
Follow-up
Approximately 12 months
Submission
EOY special education
Reporting SELPA
Required
Fields 17.13-17.15
Blank

SDLA Flowchart: build PSTS from prior-year evidence

1 - Prior-year exit and completion evidenceConfirm enrollment, exit, completion, and non-reenrollment.
2 - Program eligibility prerequisiteConfirm CPA, CTE completer, or SPED Plan Type 100 context.
3 - Correct population and timingUse the appropriate six-month or 12-month follow-up.
4 - PSTS recordTranslate documented responses into permitted codes and fields.
5 - LEA and SELPA reviewReconcile detail, certification, outreach, and Indicator 14 where applicable.

Recommended correction path

  1. 1

    Preserve the rejected row

    Capture the submission ID, row number, export time, and exact 15-field PSTS row.

  2. 2

    Compare the current layout

    Check column order, field lengths, delimiters, encoding, and required blank placeholders.

  3. 3

    Locate the first structural break

    Compare with an accepted row; an earlier delimiter can shift every later field.

  4. 4

    Trace the originating system

    Identify the SIS, special-education system, API, survey tool, or report definition.

  5. 5

    Correct the repeatable definition

    Repair the source or export mapping rather than one finished row.

  6. 6

    Regenerate and regression-check

    Confirm acceptance and inspect other records produced by the same definition.

Working calendar: follow the correct lane

CPA/CTE preparationIdentify prior-year completers and complete the approximately six-month follow-up.
2026-27 Fall 2 opens on Census Day.
Special Education preparationIdentify prior-year SWD exiters and coordinate 12-month follow-up.
Published 2026-27 EOY 1 amendment close; SELPA approval required.

Before closing the correction

  • Confirm the student belongs in the selected population.
  • Confirm the program type, reporting year, and prior-year evidence.
  • Confirm conditional fields are permitted for that lane.
  • Review other records produced by the same workflow.

Official references and practical support