Description of Issue:
Currently, Aeries allows users to create and save a 504 record with the same start and end date. While this may not trigger any errors in Aeries, it creates downstream problems in CALPADS, as those records will not post successfully. This leaves users unaware of an issue until after the CALPADS submission fails, causing delays, confusion, and extra troubleshooting.

Proposed Solution:
Implement a warning/error system within Aeries that prevents saving a 504 plan if the start and end date are the same. Ideally:

A hard stop error would prevent saving the record until corrected.

Alternatively, a soft warning message could alert the user that this entry will create CALPADS reporting issues.

Feasibility Assessment:
This enhancement builds upon existing validation logic already present in other Aeries modules (e.g., enrollment date checks). Since CALPADS validations are already integrated into many areas, extending similar logic to 504 plan dates should be technically achievable.

User Impact:

District and site staff who maintain 504 records would save time and avoid frustration.

Data accuracy for CALPADS submissions would increase, minimizing rejected files.

Reduces dependency on CALPADS errors as the “first line of defense,” shifting error prevention into Aeries where users actually enter the data.

Priority Level:
High – Because CALPADS submission deadlines are strict, errors that originate from incorrect data entry can quickly escalate into compliance issues if unnoticed until late in the reporting cycle.

Request Volume:
While this request may not yet have a high submission volume, it addresses a common workflow that affects all districts entering 504 data. Every district reporting to CALPADS is impacted by this limitation.

Overall Benefit:
By proactively flagging invalid 504 records in Aeries, this change will:

Improve data integrity.

Reduce stress and workload on site/district staff.

Prevent avoidable CALPADS submission failures.