SIF Association AU Releases SIF Implementation Specification (Australia) 1.0

Dec. 16, 2009 - PRLog -- The SIF Association today announced the release of the SIF Implementation Specification (Australia) 1.0. This inaugural release is a compilation of all of the proofs of concepts, pilots and hard work in Australia.

The SIF Association AU began from a need to promote interoperability standards for schools in Australia.  Through the leadership of the state CIOs convening the software vendors, service providers and educators, the SIF Association AU and now the SIF Implementation Specification (Australia) 1.0 have been launched.  “SIF presents a major advantage to software vendors and service providers such as Editure,” states Peter Evans, General Manager of Editure Education Technology. “It enables easy integration across multiple software systems, allowing implementation partners to create enhanced data flows across the multiple electronic systems now in use in schools and education authorities.”

As SIF spreads globally, each localization is developing a governance and data model to meet their specific needs.  The SIF Implementation Specification (Australia) 1.0 comprises both the data model and the infrastructure and architecture for transport of data between disparate systems.  Highlights from this Specification release include over forty common elements focusing on defining everything from student demographic information to graduation to subject areas to student academic information to metadata.

“So much has been achieved by so many in such a short time.  We have reached a significant  milestone, there is now a target for all to develop towards.  I need to acknowledge the cooperation shown across our education jurisdictions and institutions,” regaled Jeff Gunn, Chair of the SIF Association AU Data Standards Working Group.  There have been over eight  successful proofs of concept in using the SIF Implementation Specification (Australia) 1.0 that have involved nearly all states including government and non-government sectors. An additional seven are planned for 2010.

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The SIF Association is a non‐profit community of over 2,200 schools, districts, states, U.S. and Int'l Depts of Education and software vendors who have collectively created a common blueprint of standards for educational software data interoperability.