Arizona Education Data Standards (AzEDS)

 

  • Data standardization and improved processing leads to more accurate reporting at all levels, including classroom-accessible dashboards.
  • Uniform data elements allow for student-level long-term tracking and reporting, which enable educators to strategically plan for student success.
  • Error reduction and on-demand data reconciliation provide decision-makers with the information they need when they need it.

 

  • Using the Ed-Fi data model, AzEDS automates the majority of education reporting without compromising privacy or reducing districts’ control over student data.
  • AzEDS incorporates the nationally recognized Common Education Data Standards, making Arizona’s data more accessible.
  • The implementation of data standardization also leads to system integration and enhanced compatibility between applications.

 

  • AzEDS processes as many as 3 million transactions each day
  • The time required to recalculate statewide ADM has been reduced from 5 days to less than 1 hour
  • AzEDS directly connects district-level student information systems to ADE, reducing administrative burden and increasing data visibility.

Efficiency & Savings

Every school in Arizona is required to track and report hundreds of pieces of information every week, requiring countless hours of work and ever-increasing financial burden. Once complete, AzEDS will automate the majority of the reporting without compromising privacy or reducing LEA control over student data. AzEDS is a behind-the-scenes system, so most people will never even know they are benefitting from it; however, administrative staff will quickly notice the reduction in hours they spend compiling and submitting data. AzEDS will also enable AZDash to offer near real-time student data.

AzEDS combines the consistency of standardized data elements with the efficiency of a REST API to streamline the submission and consumption of education data in Arizona. As illustrated in the accompanying diagram, the AzEDS process basically works as follows:

  • Local education agencies (LEAs — i.e. districts and charters) maintain control of the data collection and submission process using their preferred student information systems. Each LEA decides when to submit their data to ADE (within statutory windows).
  • Data submitted via the AzEDS REST API arrives at ADE and checked for transmission errors. Problems with the raw data are immediately logged in reports LEAs can use to rectify the errors.
  • Successfully submitted data is then processed by ADE’s rules engine (aka “Integrity”), which carries out logic checks and validates for compliance with applicable requirements.
  • Processed data is then stored in the appropriate databases and made available to such applications as School Finance or AZDash. Various reports are also generated to help LEAs align their data with state and federal regulations.