Ed-Fi Updates Newsletter
July 13, 2026
In this newsletter:
All Ed-Fi acronym explanations are available in the Ed-Fi acronyms document.
New to Ed-Fi? We Can Help!
Do you need to sync to Ed-Fi, and you’re wondering where to start? Thanks to our Advisory Team, we have an Ed-Fi Setup Process Checklist (Start here) checklist that walks you through the very first steps of getting ready to submit data via Ed-Fi. Next, take a look at our MARSS in Ed-Fi Dual Submission Checklist. It covers the steps to prepare to submit your MARSS data via Ed-Fi. Both of these checklists also include links to tutorial videos and/or other helpful resources.
Still have questions?
Here are some ways to contact us for support:
When booking a meeting, please include a note explaining why you would like to meet!
Back to School and Fall Kickoff
It's that time again! Welcome to the 2026-27 school year. The MDE Ed-Fi team is excited to kick off a new year with all of you. If you have questions, please contact ed-fi.mde@state.mn.us.
Resources for the Fall Kick-Off include:
Ed-Fi Webpage
Ed-Fi Set Up Process Checklist (updated version coming soon)
Ed-Fi Live Training Calendar
Ed-Fi Documentation Webpage
Did Your District Change SIS Vendors?
Please notify us at ed-fi.mde@state.mn.us if your district has changed SIS vendors for the 2026-27 school year. It is important for us to know if you have a new SIS vendor in order for us to create a new application and to issue a new Key and Secret.
Save the Date! EDVP Training
Are you new to your position and want to know what the Ed-Fi Data Validation Portal (EDVP) is all about? Haven’t had to go into the EDVP recently and want a refresher? We will walk through the functionality and uses of the EDVP in this training.
We have several dates in August and September for this training to meet your scheduling needs. All sessions will include the same content. Watch the newsletter for additional dates as they are added to the Ed-Fi Calendar.
- Wednesday, Aug 19, 2026 2-2:45 p.m.
- Monday, Aug 24, 2026 3:15-4 p.m.
- Tuesday, Sep 1, 2026 11-11:45 a.m.
- Thursday, Sep 10, 2026 9:30-10:15 a.m.
- Friday, Sep 18, 2026 10-10:45 a.m.
Annual Reauthorization to Access EDIAM
District IOWAs need to reauthorize user access to EDIAM on an annual basis. Please ensure that district staff who need access for data submission have been reauthorized as users under the available roles within EDIAM for the 2026-27 school year. If you have questions, contact ed-fi.mde@state.mn.us.
Back to Top
Key and Secret Setup for the 2026-27 School Year
As of 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: Contact your vendor for more information.
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.
Back to top
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).
Welcome and Welcome Back Fall Training
Tuesday, October 6, 2026, 1-2 p.m. Join the October training
Back to Top
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).
Back to Top
Save the Date! MCCC Update Meetings
Join us for a chance to review updates to codes for the MCCC data fields. The updates will also be posted in a document and sent out in the newsletter. These are drop-in meetings that do not require registration so please add the virtual MS Teams meeting dates and links to your calendar.
Oct 12, 2026 10:30-11 a.m. MCCC 2026-27 Updates (Option 1)
Oct 15, 2026 1:30-2 p.m. MCCC 2026-27 Updates (Option 2)
MN Course Data Reporting Introduction
If you are new staff collecting and validating the data, this presentation of a broad overview of the process is for you. The presentation will focus on what are the data entry, data sending and data validation processes. These are drop-in meetings that do not require registration so please add the virtual MS Teams meeting dates and links to your calendar.
Oct 22, 2026, 10-10:45 a.m. MN Course data reporting (MCCC) Introduction (Option 1)
Oct 28, 2026, 1-1:45 p.m. MN Course data reporting (MCCC) Introduction (Option 2)
 |
|
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.
Back to Top
|
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!
Back to top
MDE's Ed-Fi webpage
Ed-Fi technical support email
MDE's calendar of Ed-Fi events
Unsubscribe
|
