Common Education Data Standards
Common Education Data Standards (CEDS) is a standardized vocabulary and framework for education data, developed to enable consistent collection, exchange, and reporting of information across educational institutions and systems. It provides a common set of data elements, definitions, and technical specifications to facilitate interoperability and data sharing in the education sector, from early childhood through postsecondary and workforce. CEDS helps ensure that data is comparable, reliable, and usable for decision-making, research, and policy development.
Developers should learn and use CEDS when building or integrating education technology systems, such as student information systems, learning management systems, or data analytics platforms, to ensure compliance with data standards and enable seamless data exchange. It is particularly valuable in projects involving federal reporting (e.g., for U.S. Department of Education programs), state-level data initiatives, or multi-institution collaborations, as it reduces data silos and improves data quality. By adopting CEDS, developers can enhance system interoperability, support data-driven insights, and meet regulatory requirements in the education domain.