Introduction
Delaware began using the Ed-Fi Data Standard more than ten years ago. Early on, the Department of Education’s (DOE) technology team used it behind the state’s data warehouse to support educator dashboards. As the work evolved, the state started to see where data quality was breaking down. That led to a simple realization: when the standard is used earlier in the data architecture, the data that reaches educators is cleaner, more reliable, and easier to act on.
Challenge
Like many states, Delaware faced some familiar hurdles before it made these shifts:
- Complicated, one-off integrations that slowed down new projects.
- Data that didn’t always match from one district to another.
- Limited ability to check for accuracy during data collection
- Manual, file-based reporting that required significant effort from district staff and slowed decision-making by delaying access to timely, usable data.
These roadblocks made it harder to trust data and more expensive to modernize systems, especially large ones like the student information system.
“We realized that to get truly useful data, we had to make sure it was clean as early as possible. By using the Ed-Fi Data Standard to validate information right when it enters the system, we could see the data exactly as schools entered it and start addressing quality right away,” says Adrian L. Peoples, Delaware DOE’s Chief Data Officer. “That is where real improvement begins.”
Goals
Delaware set out to create a data environment that would:
- Improve speed and accuracy through shared standards and validation.
- Strengthen governance and data quality for both operational and annual reporting.
- Require shared data standards (Ed-Fi Data Standard and/or OneRoster) in vendor contracts.
Ultimately, this stronger data environment helps administrators and educators trust the information they use for decisions, while allowing systems to change without disrupting the tools and reports they rely on.
“The Ed-Fi Data Standard reduces one-off integrations and manual file work, speeds vendor onboarding and modernization, and allows major system changes without disrupting downstream tools, dashboards, or compliance reporting,” says Kristi Pelezo, Delaware DOE’s Director of Technology.
Implementation Process
Building on Early Lessons
Delaware’s first use of the Ed-Fi Data Standard uncovered major data quality issues. Instead of patching over them, the team took a step back and reimagined the process. They built in validation at the source, redesigned data flows, and positioned the Ed-Fi Data Standard as the backbone of the system rather than a reporting add-on. This shift improved reliability across the board.
Expanding the Approach
The Delaware Department of Education recognized that the Ed-Fi Data Standard could be the foundation for all future data efforts. The team worked closely with vendors like Cambium and Pearson to automate processes such as roster-to-score transfers, and made the Ed-Fi Data Standard a criteria for all new vendor agreements.
Modernizing the Student Information System
Delaware kicked off a major transition from one student information system vendor to another. Thanks to the Ed-Fi Data Standard, the state ran both systems side by side during the 2025 fiscal year without disrupting report cards, dashboards, or other tools. Once the transition was complete, the experience proved that shared standards make even the biggest system changes manageable.
Results
Speed and Scale: Delaware moved 145,000 student records across two systems and completed district rollovers in just two weeks, a process that often takes months and puts school operations at risk.
Data Quality: By building validation into everyday workflows, the state stopped common data errors before they reached reports, improving accuracy across the board.
Accuracy: Clear data governance helped protect state funding by ensuring student counts were accurate.
Vendor Collaboration
Delaware’s phased approach led to strong vendor participation.
- PowerSchool developed its Data Exchange (DEX) to align with the Ed-Fi Data Standard.
- Infinite Campus supports direct data sharing, making it easier to access data directly from the student information system and reducing the need for district staff to manage manual file uploads.
“Our partnership with ClassLink helps us connect the Ed-Fi Data Standard to the 1EdTech OneRoster format using a common data set for consistency,” says Kristi Pelezo, Delaware DOE’s Director of Technology. “This translation is critical because it connects SIS data to the classroom tools districts rely on, reducing one off integrations, improving data quality, and speeding secure rostering across all schools.”
Lessons Learned
- Set clear expectations early: Requiring the Ed-Fi Data Standard or OneRoster in vendor contracts saved time and cost.
- Start small, scale effectively: Early validation work laid the foundation for statewide success.
- Collaboration fuels progress: Partnerships with the Ed-Fi Alliance and peer states provided practical guidance and tools that accelerated results.
Conclusion
Delaware’s journey shows what’s possible with a steady focus on continuous improvement. What began as a federal investment is now a statewide system that delivers reliable, real-time data to educators, leaders, and policymakers. By using the Ed-Fi Data Standard and maintaining strong data governance, Delaware has built a dependable foundation that supports today’s needs and adapts over time through collaboration, shared standards, and steady progress.
