Procuring educational technology (edtech) in K-12 education presents numerous challenges for both the buyer (school districts and states) and the seller (educational technology solution providers). These challenges necessitate more effective communication between the supply-side vendors and the demand-side consumers - local education agencies (LEAs). In an era when technology and education intersect, these tools must meet specific quality benchmarks around safety, usability, accessibility, interoperability, and evidence-based design to support informed decision-making in this space.
Privacy and security in K-12 have never been more critical. As technology matures and advances, the use of education technology and artificial intelligence (AI) becomes more widespread, the risks of attacks, human error, and other privacy and security concerns will only continue to grow. All roles involved in K-12 education must understand how to protect student data.
Standards are the backbone of interoperability in K-12 education technology. Whether moving data within a single platform or across multiple systems, having a clear set of criteria is essential. These criteria can be custom-built or adopted from existing community standards. This resource aims to help edtech solutions providers understand the importance of standards, the benefits of community collaboration, and expectations around navigating/implementing various standards to achieve seamless interoperability.
Understanding student achievements, resource allocations, and educational outcomes across demographics requires comprehensive data. However, many state education agencies (SEAs) maintain data in isolated silos with varying types and formats, hindering cross-state comparisons and national trend analyses. This inconsistency complicates educational planning and resource distribution.
The significance of product certifications in education technology software cannot be overstated. Among the myriad of certifications available for different product dimensions, those focused on data interoperability are crucial in signaling tool practices responsible for data stewardship. This resource delves into the rationale behind interoperability certification for education software providers, emphasizing the importance of data ownership, stewardship, and aligning certifications with core organizational objectives.
Data validation enhances data quality by ensuring the data in a source system is accurate and reliable. When strong data validation practices exist, K-12 leaders can make informed decisions and keep schools running smoothly. This resource dives into the essential aspects of data validation in education.
Data modernization is a multi-step process that improves an organization's data infrastructure, tools, and practices. It involves moving data from legacy systems to modern technologies, often in the cloud, to make data more accessible. It involves adopting contemporary technologies and strategies to address outdated data management practices.
For K-12 organizations, including local education agencies (LEAs), state education agencies (SEAs), and education service centers, data modernization is a critical journey that enables them to use the power of data to drive better decision-making and improve student outcomes.
Learning and Employment Records (LERs) are revolutionizing how we document and share our skills and achievements. These digital records include academic transcripts, licenses, certifications, and informal experiences, offering a comprehensive view of our lifelong learning.
LERs are comprehensive digital records that capture academic achievements, professional licenses, certifications, and even informal experiences. These records are dynamic and offer a holistic view of an individual's skills and accomplishments, aiding them in their educational and career journeys.
This resource covers credential creation & issuance, interoperability, secure sharing, and data privacy.
Focusing on data interoperability, particularly within the state policy context, provides significant opportunities for individuals to benefit from access to their own information and for state systems to serve residents through program improvement better. However, policymakers should keep in mind that other issues must remain a priority if they are to realize these outcomes. Data privacy and security, particularly in the K-12 space, must be considered alongside the advancement of technology solutions.
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Data integration platforms, products and services can help school systems seamlessly and securely bring together previously siloed education data, supporting advanced data analytics and reporting. This can help educators make better decisions to support students and save school systems time and money. Peruse our list of integration specialists to find the right provider and solutions for you!
Read MoreThe Standards Glossary by Project Unicorn is a directory that contains a list of Interoperability Standards in K-12.
Read MoreAre you a startup or early stage edtech company? Learn why data interoperability is so important in today's competitive market and how you can make it your market advantage. After all, what startup doesn't want to be a Unicorn? Read more below!
Read MoreData interoperability standards make possible the seamless, secure, and controlled exchange of data between applications. If you’re wondering “What’s the best data standard?” you may be asking the wrong question. Instead of thinking “what standards team should I pick” you should be thinking “what standards should I have on my team?” The answer will depend on the game that you’re trying to win. Read more below!
Read MoreWhoever told you to get your head out of the clouds was wrong! Now, more than ever, K12 school systems are expected to provide students and educators with seamless learning experiences powered by data interoperability, even while working remotely. Modernizing data infrastructure and migrating data systems to the cloud can help make this a reality.
Read MoreDistricts are increasingly expecting the edtech products they use to share data seamlessly and securely with other applications. This can reduce implementation time, help prevent errors introduced by manual data entry processes, and empower districts to better leverage their data. However, it’s not enough for vendors to integrate with an open data standard through an API - usability of the API matters too! Read more about best practices for open data standard API integrations.
Read MoreBeing certified to a data standard signals to customers that your product is truly interoperable. Certification gives buyers the confidence that their educational data will flow seamlessly and securely between their applications. Discover steps to certification for Ed-Fi Alliance, Access 4 Learning Community, and IMS Global here.
Read MoreWhen it comes to data interoperability, sometimes it's hard to know what is fact and what is fiction. This resource tackles some of the most common myths and misconceptions about interoperability. Discover the truth with this resource from the Project Unicorn Technical Advisory Committee!
Read MoreHow does your school network rank? Review the rubric to assess your tier of interoperability.
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