What is the SIF and SIF Unity?
SIF (Schools Interoperability Framework) is a standardized framework for sharing educational data across different systems. It ensures that student information systems (SIS), learning management systems (LMS), and other educational tools can communicate effectively.
SIF Unity is the latest version of the SIF Implementation Specification and builds on the school interoperability standard (SIF).
It has:
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A comprehensive K-12 data model
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Modern transport technologies (e.g., APIs)
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Enhanced privacy and security controls aligned with the Student Data Privacy Consortium (SDPC)
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Compatibility with other standards like Ed-Fi, CEDS, and LTI.
Unity allows districts to evolve their SIF infrastructure without losing existing data investments.
What is PowerSchool Data Exchange (DEX)?
PowerSchool Data Exchange is an electronic data interchange (EDI) plug-in built for PowerSchool SIS. This framework enables PowerSchool SIS to send and receive data to and from external data sources securely near real-time. It supports various data formats and integrates with external data models like:
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https://www.in.gov/health/immunization/children-and-hoosiers-immunization-registry-program-chirp/
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School Interoperability Framework (SIF) provided by Access 4 Learning Community
Data is securely transferred between PowerSchool and the education agency's systems using secure HTTP with security credentials as specified by the education agency. It uses the OAuth 2.0 Web Authorization Protocol for digital authentication.
DEX supports:
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Downloading data into PowerSchool
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Publishing data from PowerSchool
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Syncing data between PowerSchool and education agencies
External agencies like state education agencies (SEAs) have no way of initiating contact or sending data requests to PowerSchool SIS. All data is published, like state reports, as configured and scheduled from within PowerSchool SIS.