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Ed-Fi Integration Overview

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Overview

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) has uses the Ed-Fi interoperability framework to streamline the collection of Local Education Agency (LEA) information, improve state and federal reporting, and enhance integration with assessment vendors. LEAs are required to implement this framework within their certified Student Information System (SIS), financial data system, and other technology platforms. Vendor systems transmit data to DPI through an Ed-Fi REST API, which is certified annually.

Integrating Your System
If you're working with an LEA and are not on the existing vendor list, integrating with the WI DPI Ed-Fi REST API is straightforward but requires planning. DPI certifies vendors so that school districts, charter schools, and private schools participating in the parental choice program can submit data securely and efficiently. Our goal is to make this process as simple as possible, minimizing development costs and reducing time to market.

Becoming a Certified Vendor

At  the DPI, we value vendor partnerships and strive to make onboarding smooth and transparent.

Get Started! If you are new to Ed-Fi consider exploring the Ed-Fi Data Standard and APIs to learn how interoperability can advance education and your business. Before submitting the Vendor Profile, it is worthwhile to review the Ed-Fi and WISEdata documentation, consider obtaining an Ed-Fi license (recommended), and ensure your developers are familiar with RESTful services and basic HTTP authentication. DPI only uses the Ed-Fi API Framework.

Your partnership begins by completing a Vendor Profile.  This quick introductory step takes 5–10 minutes and collects the following information: High-level company information, Primary contact information, Experience level with the Ed-Fi Alliance, and where your product is currently used in Wisconsin

Important: The application period closes October 31 for the upcoming school year.

Onboarding Process. After you submit your Vendor Profile, DPI will schedule a meeting to review your application and outline next steps. We’ll provide resources, sandbox setup guidance, and regular check-ins to support your development. If you haven't already, review the Ed-Fi and WISEdata Ed-Fi Documents to familiarize yourself with how DPI uses the Ed-FI API Framework.

Vendor Development and Verification. In this phase, your development team will configure your product to meet DPI specifications and integrate with the WISEdata Ed-Fi API/ODS using provided data values, descriptors and use cases.

Integration Testing and Certification. The final step is earning your certification status by successfully completing live testing of the allocated test scenarios prior to being added to the certified Vendor List. Certified vendors receive production credentials each school year when an LEA authorizes them. Certification is renewed annually.

Vendor Certification Timeline and Process

If you are looking to become a newly certified vendor referred by an LEA, here’s a Vendor Certification Timeline Summary:

  • State Reporting Vendors
    Vendor Types: Student Information Systems, Special Education, Discipline, etc.)
    • Application Period: July 1st - October 31st
    • Initial Interviews Completed By: Completed by December 1st
    • Vendor Data Mapping, Transformation, and Development: Approximately 6 months
    • Check-ins and Vendor Selection Announcement: Prior to January 10th
    • Planning and Training Completion: By February 28th
    • Integration Testing Window: April - July
    • Final Certification Announcement: By July 31st

  • Read-Only Vendors

    • Application Period: Quarterly (First or second week of January, April, July, October)
    • Initial Interview & Scoping: 1-3 weeks
    • Vendor Data Mapping and Development: 1-4 weeks (Duration may vary by vendor readiness)
    • Integration Testing: 1-2 weeks
    • Final Review & Certification: 1-2 weeks (Quarter-end)
  • Local Use Vendors (Read/Write Access)
    Hybrid vendors with read/write access follow the same certification process steps as other Non-State Reporting vendors. However, the overall timeline to certification may vary based on the scope and complexity of the integration. Some projects may be completed in under 12 weeks, while others may require additional time to ensure readiness and compliance.

Preparation Checklist

Once you have completed the “Getting Started” phase, DPI will provide the necessary support to ensure you have the tools needed for integration.

  • Access to the 'Sandbox'/User Acceptance Test Environment: A Wisconsin Access Management System (WAMS) ID is required to access the Ed-Fi Credential Application. This credential application is required to obtain the Key, Secret, and URLs needed to connect to the API UAT 'Sandbox' and use Swagger.
  • Resources: Available on the Vendor Resources page, you’ll find development resources including the use cases to support your efforts.

Integration Testing and Certification

Once your development is complete, we recommend executing unit testing and system testing to detect and resolve errors before proceeding with integration testing. When you are confident in your code, schedule a certification session. DPI conducts live testing sessions with vendors to evaluate service integration, data interpretation, and UI-specific error conditions.

Lastly, once vendors are DPI certified, they are added to the certified Vendor List and will be eligible to receive production credentials after an LEA adds them as an authorized vendor. Our certification process is required annually, with requirements for the next year being shared at a Vendor Conference in March and a testing window between April and July (subject to change).

Please visit the Vendors and Claimsets Ed-Fi Admin App V4 User Guide page for further helpful information.

Got questions? Vendors can reach out to us using the Vendor Access and Inquiry form.