Ed-Fi Updates Newsletter
September 8, 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 (updated version available soon) 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 Minnesota Department of Education (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
Ed-Fi Live Training Calendar
Ed-Fi Documentation Webpage
Ed-Fi Sync Due September 10
Districts should be connected to the Ed-Fi API and have synced data by September 10, 2026. This due date ensures data submission deadlines are met. If you have not yet synced for the 2026-27 school year and need support, please reach out so we can help. If you need a Key and Secret please email ed-fi.mde@state.mn.us. For other support syncing, please contact your SIS Vendor.
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 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.
- 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.
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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: Contact your vendor for more information.
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 request a new set with this form.
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Welcome Back Fall Training
Join the team for the 2026-27 back to school welcome and training.
Tuesday, October 6, 2026, 1-2 p.m. Join the October training
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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 following the hyperlink to the webpage directly.
Early Childhood Health and Developmental Screening in MARSS
Early Childhood Health and Developmental Screening is required for public school students and typically occurs between age three and kindergarten or first grade. Districts must use their local validation processes, including reviewing the MARSS 24 Secure Report, to ensure that all eligible MARSS PS or Grade PS enrollments are accurately reported, as these records generate state aid under MARSS Procedure 26. It is essential to include both the school and grade fields in all A/B file submissions, including end of year submissions. If these fields are omitted, the MARSS PS data may be overwritten or left unassigned, resulting in the loss of state aid for the district.
Approximately 80 percent of districts are dual reporting MARSS PS through both A/B file uploads and Ed Fi submissions for 2025–2026. Until a district has formally certified that it will report MARSS data exclusively through Ed Fi, it must continue submitting MARSS PS through A/B file uploads.
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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. Minnesota Course data reporting (MCCC) Introduction (Option 1)
Oct 28, 2026, 1-1:45 p.m. Minnesota Course data reporting (MCCC) Introduction (Option 2)
Ed-Fi/MCCC Advisory Team Application Window for 2026-27 SY Coming Soon
Are you involved in the Ed-Fi MCCC implementation? Would you like to support its success? Think about applying to be an advisory team member. The application to join this team will be in the next newsletter.
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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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