Ed-Fi 2017-18 School Year

PowerSchool Data Exchange (DEX)

Following are the setup instructions for PowerSchool Data Exchange for the 2017-18 school year and greater. Refer to PowerSchool Data Exchange (DEX) for additional configuration information.

Enable DEX Plugin

PowerSchool Data Exchange (DEX) is delivered to PowerSchool as a plugin. You must enable the plugin to be able to have access to the data exchange components, such as Ed-Fi. The DEX Plugin is installed automatically as part of state reporting releases and can be enabled by navigating to the Plugin Management Dashboard.

To access the Plugin Management Dashboard, sign in to PowerSchool at the district level.

1. On the start page, choose System under Setup in the main menu. 

2. Under Server, click System Settings. 

3. Click Plugin Management Configuration.

4. In the Plugin Management Dashboard, select the Enable/Disable checkbox next to PowerSchool Data Exchange (DEX).

5. Click PowerSchool Data Exchange (DEX).

6. In the PowerSchool Data Exchange (DEX) Setup page, click Profile Configuration. 

7. Click Add Profile.

   1. Enter Profile Name. 
      Note: This name shows in the Data Exchange menu list in the main menu. PowerSchool recommends keeping the name under 20 characters.
      Nebraska Ed-Fi for 2016-17 school year is named Nebraska 2016-17.
   2. Select EdFi_NE in the Profile Type dropdown.
   3. Select Enabled On, and Save the profile.

Best Practice

When a plugin is updated, PowerSchool may disable the plugin for security reasons to require a review of the changes and again agree to the terms and conditions for using the software. After a release is installed, verify that all applicable plugins are enabled.

Back to Top

Configure PowerSchool Data Exchange

The setup page provides a user interface for entering various configurable settings including enabling and disabling the entire framework, authentication, and operational frequencies. PowerSchool supports multiple LEAs in a single instance. The setup page contains a section where the individual authentication keys and secrets are entered for each LEA through the Configure hyperlink.

1. On the start page, choose System under Setup in the main menu.
2. Under Data Exchange, click General Setup. 
3. Select System Enabled to On. Leave the remaining fields at their default values.
4. Select the Profile Name.
   Important Note: All Communication Settings, including LEA settings, are profile specific. Verify that you have selected the correct profile before making the following changes.
5. The Data Exchange URL and Authentication URL will be automatically populated.
6. Select the School Years for Ed-Fi publishing.
7. Verify all three Service Options are checked.
8. Click Configure for any LEAs that will be publishing.
   1. Enable LEA 
   2. Enter the Authentication Key 
   3. Enter the Authentication Secret
   4. Test connection and save the communication settings. 
      1. PowerSchool recommends that you test your connection after completing these communication settings. Click Test Connection. A message appears to inform you whether or not the test was successful. Click the Save button to record your settings once the test is successful.

Back to Top

Ed-Fi Dashboard

The link to the Ed-Fi dashboard has moved from the System Reports screen. The Ed-Fi Dashboard links are now located on the main menu, located on the left of the start page, under the Data Exchange heading. Links to the Ed-Fi Dashboards will display after the new DEX plugin is enabled and the 2017-18 Ed-Fi profile setup is complete.

1. On the start page, choose a profile under Data Exchange in the main menu. This will open the Ed-Fi dashboard for the selected profile.
   Note: The Ed-Fi dashboard works the same for the 2017-18 school year as it does for the 2016-17 school year.

Best Practice

• Periodically review the Ed-Fi Reporting page to ensure “On Demand” categories like Attendance are scheduled to run periodically.
• Run “Publish Missing” or “Publish All” for each category on the Ed-Fi Dashboard a few days prior to state funding deadlines and at the beginning and end of the school year to verify that all records are updated to the state ODS.

Back to Top