# Low-income, FRPM, and socioeconomically disadvantaged: what the labels mean

Learn how California defines FRPM, socioeconomically disadvantaged, and low-income students, and why the percentages can differ.

4 min read

Updated: 2026-09-28

FRPM is the percentage of students who meet California's eligibility rules for free or reduced-price meals. The state's socioeconomically disadvantaged group uses a broader definition. On California School Trends, "low-income" usually refers to data based on FRPM eligibility.

## FRPM measures eligibility

FRPM stands for free or reduced-price meals. A student can qualify through household income information or through another public program that makes the student automatically eligible.

California provides free school meals to every public school student, but schools still collect FRPM eligibility data for education funding and reporting. If a school has 60% FRPM eligibility, about 60 out of every 100 enrolled students met the eligibility rules during that reporting year. The percentage counts eligible students, not the students who eat school lunch.

## Socioeconomically disadvantaged is a broader group

California's socioeconomically disadvantaged group, often shortened to SED, includes students who qualify for FRPM. It can also include students based on other information, such as parent education, migrant status, homelessness, foster care, or direct certification through another public program.

A school's SED and FRPM percentages can differ because the two measures use different rules.

## Enrollment percentages and test results count different students

An enrollment percentage describes the school's student population. A test result includes students in the grades that took the statewide test and had a reportable result.

For example, a school may report that 60% of all enrolled students meet FRPM rules. Its low-income reading result describes proficiency among tested low-income students, not 60% of the school.

## What an achievement gap measures

An achievement gap is the difference between the results for two student groups.

If 62% of non-low-income students and 44% of low-income students reach proficiency, the gap is 18 percentage points.

Read the two results along with the gap. A smaller gap can come from improvement in the lower result or a decline in the higher result.

## Sources

- [California Department of Education: socioeconomically disadvantaged criteria](https://www.cde.ca.gov/Fg/aa/lc/equitymultiplier.asp)
- [California Department of Education: FRPM data](https://www.cde.ca.gov/Ds/ad/fsspfrpm.asp)
- [California Department of Education: universal meals](https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/nu/sn/cauniversalmeals.asp)

## Keep exploring

**Student groups**

See how California defines student groups, calculates achievement gaps, and reports results for each group.

[See this topic](/learn/student-groups-and-achievement-gaps)

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