Ed-Fi Updates: May 4, 2026

department of education

Ed-Fi Updates Newsletter

May 4, 2026

In this newsletter:


All Ed-Fi acronym explanations are available in the Ed-Fi acronyms document.


Ed-Fi

Flyer with information for data caravan

Data Caravan 2026 - May and June

Join MDE for a hands-on learning experience and informative work session meant for any school or district staff member who works with state data submissions. Whether you’re new to the process or looking to get your questions answered, these sessions will help you understand how to complete successful data submissions. Designed for any staff member who collects state data, submits state data, creates reports from state data, or is considered the school or district data “expert.”  Sessions will be held from 8:30-11:30 a.m. Registration links are unique to each location.

Need more information? Contact your local Minnesota Service Cooperative or click this link for details.

Ed-Fi Tips and Tricks

Do you have a district or school Data Procedural Manual? Start with a chart of all the MDE collected reports your school or district submits each year. 

Step One: Create a chart of all state reports

  • List out all state reports submitted each year
  • Create a table or chart with the report name, due dates, all people who are currently responsible for any part of each report (gathering data, entering data, submitting the report)
  • Already have one? Great! You're ready for Step Two (in June's Ed-Fi Updates Newsletter).

Next steps for adding content in the manual include: creating a list of all the portals, Student Information Systems, and other apps you use, adding links and resources for guidance on how to create each data submission or report, and creating a list of the "who": program area experts, staff who can review the data for accuracy, and possible staff who can enter the data.

Watch the newsletter for tips on the next steps in creating a data procedural manual for your district or school.

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AEO

AEO Data Submissions Due June 30

Thank you to those who have already submitted Ancestry Ethnic Origin (AEO) data for the 2025-26 school year. AEO data needs to be submitted by June 30, 2026, to be included in the Counting All Students Annual Report.

Tips for submitting AEO data:

  • AEO data is synced via Ed-Fi. As long as your district is collecting the data and submitting via Ed-Fi, you are meeting the reporting requirement.
  • Refer to the Student Detail Demographic Extended Report (AEO) under the MARSS security role in the EDVP to confirm submitted data.
  • Another option: in the EDVP, go to Validation>Validation Results to launch a new validation for this year to confirm submission of data.

The form for families to fill out and the parent letter are available on the Ed-Fi Documentation webpage. Select AEO under data collection on the left-hand side. Additional information about AEO is available via the AEO Data Collection Fact Sheet. If you have questions or would like to schedule a time to talk, please email ed-fi.mde@state.mn.us.


Early Education

Ed-Fi for ECFE and School Readiness

Ed-Fi data for ECFE and School Readiness is due to MDE by end of day Wednesday, July 15, 2026.

Your district’s Identified Official with Authority must first authorize your EDIAM account for the Education Data Validation Portal (EDVP). Once authorized, log into EDVP to verify the data your district submitted to MDE.

Schedule a support meeting using the online calendars with Avisia (DCYF Early Learning Services) or Allie (MDE Ed-Fi team).

Open Office Hours

Tuesday, May 12, 2026, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Join the May session

Thursday, July 9, 2026, 1-2 p.m. Join the July session

Welcome and Welcome Back Fall Training

Tuesday, October 6, 2026, 1-2 p.m. Join the October training

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MARSS

Ed-Fi MARSS Vendor-Specific User Group Virtual Meetings

Please check the MDE calendar for our monthly vendor-specific user groups where MARSS in Ed-Fi questions can be addressed. Check the calendar

Introduction to MARSS Reporting in Ed-Fi Video

A recorded "Introduction to MARSS Reporting in Ed-Fi" training session has been posted to the MDE website. You can find it at MDE > Districts, Schools and Educators > School Finance > MARSS Student Accounting > Training: MARSS Student Accounting > scroll down to +Recorded MARSS Trainings (click on the plus sign) or by clicking here.

Early Childhood Health and Developmental Screening

Early Childhood Health and Developmental Screening programs use the MARSS PS generated state aid to serve children between the ages of three and seven years. Please assure MARSS PS records are assigned for screenings completed by the district as well as those submitted by parents and completed by Head Start, Child and Teen Checkups, Private Providers (clinics) or if the parent conscientiously objects to meet the statutory requirement. Minn. Stat. 142D.091 (2024).

This is a dual submission year, so districts may partner with their student information system vendors to assure all screenings are submitted via Ed-Fi. Until a district has certified to submit via Ed-Fi only, they must continue to submit MARSS A/B file uploads for state screening aid.

Join the May 12, 2026, Early Childhood Screening data in Ed-Fi Open Office Hour

If you have questions, contact Margo Chresand (Margaret.Chresand@state.mn.us).

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MCCC

MCCC Validation Report Updates

The MCCC Validation Report has been updated to reflect the recent changes made to the MCCC Staff Section Course dynamic report on January 27. Districts who saw an increase in errors following this change should now see a reduction in errors after March 20.

New: Validation Rule 35
This is a new rule added to the report. It produces a warning when a course offering record is reported in a session without any related sections.

If a course offering record meets the requirements for Validation Rule 35, Validation Rules 17, 18, 26, and 27 are now skipped.

New: Additional Columns
Three new columns have been added to the report: Section Identifier, Session Name, and Staff ID.

Data will only appear in these columns if it is related to the error message or warning. If there is no related data, "N/A" will show in the report. If the data is expected but missing, a blank will be reported.

Change: Validation Rule 18
The error message has changed. Previously, the message read: “is missing the teacher license.” The message now reads: “is missing the teacher license or a licensed teacher was not reported for this section.”

Arm with watch text says office hours

 

MCCC and DIRS Open Office Hours

If you have questions or need support with MCCC or with DIRS, please join us for office hours.

When: Tuesdays from 2 to 3 p.m.

How: No registration needed. Use the link found in the MDE Calendar.

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Ed-Fi Help

Question marks

Would you like 1:1 help with an Ed-Fi? Book a Microsoft Teams meeting with Allie! You will have the option to share your screen.

  • 15-minute meetings are great for getting quick guidance on an Ed-Fi problem. If you don’t know where to start with your question, choose this! We can always book more time if needed.
  • 30-minute meetings are better for more in-depth troubleshooting. If this is needed, please also send an e-mail to ed-fi.mde@state.mn.us with the details. This will ensure we're both prepared and ready to troubleshoot when the meeting starts.

If you have a question about Ed-Fi data and MARSS reports, please book with Kari.

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MDE's Ed-Fi webpage

Ed-Fi technical support email

MDE's calendar of Ed-Fi events

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