Ed-Fi Updates Newsletter
July 2, 2026
In this newsletter:
All Ed-Fi acronym explanations are available in the Ed-Fi acronyms document.
Key and Secret Setup for the 2026-27 School Year
Beginning Wednesday, July 8, districts can configure their 2026-27 Ed-Fi API Key and Secret and verify that they are ready for data reporting.
NOTE: JMC and Region 1 district users can disregard the following information.
Key and Secret Definition
In order to send MDE data via Ed-Fi, each LEA is issued a Key and Secret to enter in the Student Information System (SIS). The "Key" acts like a user ID, and the "Secret" as the password. Unlike personal usernames and passwords, this Key and Secret are for the LEA rather than the individual person.
A good analogy is a toll road. The vehicle is the Key to get your passengers to the destination and the ez-pass is the Secret that recognizes you have permission to go through the gate, but the road can go in both directions.
Key and Secret for 2026-27
Key: last year's Key, change "2026" to "2027"
If your Key does not end with 2026, add 2027 to the Key.
Secret: same as last year
Key and Secret Vendor Specific Information
EduPoint/Synergy: Watch for an onboarding session to be announced through the vendor. The session will aim at setup and configuration for getting connected and the steps needed to submit data in 2026-27.
Infinite Campus: Users should obtain the Client Secret field from their own personal records. If you no longer know the Client Secret, reach out to MDE for assistance.
Powerschool: Information coming soon. Contact Powerschool if you have questions about 2026-27 Key and Secret instructions.
Skyward: Skyward will host training webinars Tuesday, July 28, for both Qmlativ and SMS users. An email with times and a link to the webinar will be sent out the week prior.
What if I don't have a Key and Secret?
If you have switched Student Information System vendors for the 2026-27 school year or don’t have a Key and Secret, please email ed-fi.mde@state.mn.us.
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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.
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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
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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Certify MARSS Reporting via Ed-Fi Cohort 2026-2027 School Year
MDE is going to be providing targeted support to a cohort of districts and charters in the 2026-27 School Year. Please fill out the Certify MARSS Reporting via Ed-Fi Cohort 2026-27 SY survey to let Ed-Fi/MARSS staff at MDE know if you would like to take part in this cohort for certifying your MARSS data during the following submission cycles:
- Certify EOY 2025-26 and Fall 2026-27 then report Ed-Fi only in MARSS for EOY 2026-27
OR
- Certify Fall 2026-27 and End of Year 2026-27 then report Ed-Fi only in MARSS for Fall 2027-28.
Note: You may also choose to complete this survey if you specifically do NOT want to take part during the 2026-27 year, but please state the reason why (e.g. new to your position, etc.).
Ed-Fi MARSS Vendor-Specific User Group Virtual Meetings
Due to scheduling conflicts, MARSS/Ed-Fi Vendor user groups will not be scheduled in July and will resume in August 2026.
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 following the hyperlink to the webpage directly.
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). Please enter MARSS PS as soon as possible to help district screening coordinators complete their annual outcomes reporting
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.
If you have questions, contact Margo Chresand (Margaret.Chresand@state.mn.us).
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Corrected CTE to MCCC Course Code Crosswalk
The previous crosswalk link had incorrect MCCC codes for the CTE program course codes. Use this document to get the correct MCCC codes.
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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 2-3 p.m.
How: No registration needed. Use the link found in the MDE Calendar.
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Would you like 1:1 help with an Ed-Fi question? Here are some ways to contact us for support:
When booking a meeting, please include a note explaining why you would like to meet!
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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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