
This matrix positions representative Learning Technology Standards on two dimensions. The vertical dimension is A Taxonomy of Learning Standards. The horizontal dimension is the Four-Layer Framework for Data Standards. Positioning standards according these dimensions can help education technology vendors and consumers identify the standards that are relevant to their work.
The following table is a more complete list of learning standards. Follow the links access the standards and their governing organizations. If you're aware of a standards effort that's not listed, or if a description is incomplete, please contribute your updates.
Also see the Table of Standards Organizations.
Standards Table
Standard | Standards Org | Description | Types | Data Layers | Ed Levels |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
SIF Data Model | A4L | SIF Data Model: Data model for representing and transmitting educational information. (more) |
Student Data Educator Data Institutional Data Content Metadata |
1. Data Dict 2. Data Model 3. Serialization |
PK Primary Secondary |
SIF Infrastructure | A4L | SIF Infrastructure: Protocol for transmitting educational information. (more) |
Student Data Educator Data Institutional Data Content Metadata |
4. Protocol | PK Primary Secondary HigherEd |
ACT Holistic Framework | ACT | ACT Holistic Framework: To help people navigate these shifts from kindergarten to career (K–Career), ACT has created a holistic framework for understanding education and work readiness, navigating life’s transition points, and achieving success. (more) |
Competency Data Content Metadata Competency & Achievement |
1. Data Dict 2. Data Model |
PK Primary Secondary HigherEd Workforce |
SCORM | ADL/IEEE | Sharable Content Object Reference Model: A format for developing and publishing reusable digital learning resources for use in learning management systems and other learning environments. (more) |
Content Packaging | 2. Data Model 3. Serialization |
HigherEd Workforce Military |
xAPI | ADL/IEEE | Experience API: A protocol for reporting and tracking learning activities and student experiences. (more) |
Student Data | 4. Protocol | PK Primary Secondary HigherEd Workforce Military |
NGSS | Achieve | Next Generation Science Standards: A set of standards and competency framework for science education. Adopted by several states. (more) |
Competency & Achievement | Primary Secondary |
|
Blockcerts | Blockcerts | Blockcerts is an open standard for creating, issuing, viewing, and verifying blockchain-based certificates. These digital records are registered on a blockchain, cryptographically signed, tamper-proof, and shareable. The goal is to enable a wave of innovation that gives individuals the capacity to possess and share their own official records. (more) |
Student Data Competency Data |
3. Serialization 4. Protocol |
All |
UDL | CAST | Universal Design for Learning: A framework to optimize teaching and learning based on learning science and in support of students of all abilities. (more) |
Design & Practice | All | |
CCSS | CCSSO/NGA | Common Core State Standards: Competency standards for English Language Arts - Literacy and Mathematics for K-12. Adopted by many U.S. States. (more) |
Competency & Achievement | Primary Secondary |
|
CTDL | Credential Engine | Credential Transparency Description Language: Enables rich description of credential-related resources related (linked) to other entities in the credentialing ecosystem. Described resources include assessments, learning opportunities, requirements, costs, and conceptual frameworks. Resource descriptions support labor market outcomes, education and career pathways, and employer preferences. (more) |
Content Metadata | 1. Data Dict 2. Data Model 3. Serialization |
PK Primary Secondary HigherEd Workforce Military |
LRMI | DCMI | Learning Resource Metadata Initiative: A set of metadata terms for describing learning resources and their relationship to standards or competencies. The LRMI terms are incorporated into Schema.org Creative Work. (more) |
Content Metadata | 1. Data Dict 2. Data Model |
All |
Europass Learning Model | European Commission | Europass Learning Model captures the results of any non-formal and formal learning across Europe, as well as the validation of non-formal and informal learning. It is designed to provide a single format to describe certificates of attendance, examination results, degrees and diplomas, diploma supplements, professional certifications, employer recommendations and any other kind of claims that are related to learning. (more) |
Student Data Institutional Data Competency Data |
2. Data Model 3. Serialization |
All |
JSON | ECMA | JSON: A lightweight text-based format for data interchange. Forms the basis for many educational data serialization formats. (more) |
Foundational | 3. Serialization | All |
Assessment API | Ed-Fi Alliance | The Ed-Fi Assessment Outcomes API describes a REST API surface to enable exchange of assessment metadata and student assessment results between disparate and geographically separated systems operated by different organizations. (more) |
Student Data Content Metadata |
3. Serialization 4. Protocol |
PK Primary Secondary |
Core Student API | Ed-Fi Alliance | The Ed-Fi Core Student Data API standard describes a REST API surface that covers the core data domains typically managed by student information systems in K–12 education. These standards can be used to drive analysis of student performance, both alone and in combination with data from other systems. (more) |
3. Serialization 4. Protocol |
PK Primary Secondary |
|
Ed-Fi Data Standard | Ed-Fi Alliance | The Ed-Fi Data Standard is a common model providing the data elements and serialization formats on which all other Ed-Fi data systems are based. (more) |
Student Data Educator Data Institutional Data |
1. Data Dict 2. Data Model 3. Serialization |
PK Primary Secondary |
Enrollment API | Ed-Fi Alliance | The Ed-Fi Enrollment API describes a set of read-only REST APIs for transfer of basic student and teacher demographic data and enrollment data for K–12 education. The API is intended to allow source systems to provide the basic data needed to provision a broad range of online teaching and learning applications. (more) |
Student Data Educator Data Institutional Data |
3. Serialization 4. Protocol |
PK Primary Secondary |
EPUB | IDPF | EPUB for Education: A profile of the IDPF EPUB standard for digital book publishing targeted at education. (more) |
Content Packaging | 3. Serialization | Secondary HigherEd |
LOM | IEEE LTSC | Learning Object Metadata: A schema for metadata that describes learning objects and resources. (more) |
Content Metadata | 1. Data Dict 2. Data Model 3. Serialization |
All |
HTTP | IETF | HyperText Transfer Protocol: Standard protocol for transmitting content and data on the internet. The world-wide web and many data exchange protocols are based on HTTP. (more) |
Foundational | 4. Protocol | |
CASE | IMS Global | Competencies & Academic Standards Exchange: A standard format for representing competency frameworks such as state standards, learning objectives, etc. (more) |
Competency Data | 1. Data Dict 2. Data Model 3. Serialization 4. Protocol |
All |
Caliper | IMS Global | IMS Caliper Analytics: A protocol for transmitting and collecting learning events for later analysis. (more) |
Student Data | 4. Protocol | All |
IMS CC | IMS Global | IMS Common Cartridge: A content packaging standard for course materials. (more) |
Content Packaging | 2. Data Model 3. Serialization |
All |
IMS CP | IMS Global | IMS Content Packaging: A format for packaging content and associated metadata for exchange between educational systems. (more) |
Content Packaging | 2. Data Model 3. Serialization |
All |
LTI | IMS Global | IMS Learning Tools Interoperability: A protocol that enables a learning management system to incorporate custom learning tools or experiences offered by another system. (more) |
Content Integration | 4. Protocol | All |
OBI | IMS Global | Open Badge Infrastructure: A format for communicating skills and achievements. (more) |
Student Data | 3. Serialization 4. Protocol |
Primary Secondary HigherEd Workforce |
OneRoster | IMS Global | OneRoster: A protocol and format for secure exchange of class roster information between applications. (more) |
Student Data | 3. Serialization 4. Protocol |
Primary Secondary |
QTI | IMS Global | IMS Question and Test Interoperability: A content packaging format for questions (assessment items) and tests. QTI 3.0 incorporates the accessibility features formerly defined in IMS APIP. (more) |
Content Packaging | 1. Data Dict 2. Data Model 3. Serialization |
All |
ISTE Standards | ISTE | The ISTE Standards are a framework of practice for technology-supported learning. They include standards for students, educators, leaders, and coaches. (more) |
Competency & Achievement | All | |
Activity Report | MedBiquitous | MedBiquitous Activity Report: Activity Report allows organizations to electronically compile continuing education (CE) and Maintenance of Certification certificate data across providers, making it easier to track lifelong learning and improvement. (more) |
Student Data Educator Data Institutional Data |
1. Data Dict 2. Data Model 3. Serialization |
HigherEd Workforce Military |
Competency Framework | MedBiquitous | MedBiquitous Competency Framework: The Competency Framework allows competencies and learning outcomes to be used as the backbone of education and performance management systems, enabling users to search for resources addressing a specific competency and determine where competencies are addressed in the curriculum. (more) |
Competency Data Content Metadata |
1. Data Dict 2. Data Model 3. Serialization |
HigherEd Workforce Military |
Curriculum Inventory | MedBiquitous | MedBiquitous Curriculum Inventory: Curriculum Inventory facilitates the exchange and aggregation of data about health professions curriculum across the continuum of professional education and training. It enables the aggregation of curriculum data for research and benchmarking. (more) |
Institutional Data Competency Data Content Metadata |
1. Data Dict 2. Data Model 3. Serialization |
HigherEd Workforce Military |
Educational Achievement | MedBiquitous | MedBiquitous Educational Achievement: The Educational Achievement standard facilitates the exchange of data about a learner’s achievements and competencies across the continuum of professional education. It includes the ability to document entrustment decisions and achievement of milestones. (more) |
Student Data Institutional Data Competency Data |
1. Data Dict 2. Data Model 3. Serialization |
HigherEd Workforce Military |
Healthcare LOM | MedBiquitous | MedBiquitous Healthcare Learning Object Metadata: Healthcare Learning Object Metadata (Healthcare LOM) provides a standard way to describe learning activities and content, making it possible to maximize the value of your content and connect to the broader community of healthcare educators. (more) |
Content Metadata | 1. Data Dict 2. Data Model 3. Serialization |
HigherEd Workforce Military |
MEMS | MedBiquitous | MedBiquitous Education Metrics: MedBiquitous Metrics (officially known as Medical Education Metrics [MEMS]) provides a standard format for continuing education (CE) outcomes data, allowing educators to bring outcomes data together across systems and organizations for better research. (more) |
Student Data Educator Data Institutional Data |
1. Data Dict 2. Data Model 3. Serialization |
HigherEd Workforce Military |
Performance Framework | MedBiquitous | MedBiquitous Performance Framework: The Performance Framework standard allows one to represent expected levels of performance related to a competency in a standard format. Performance frameworks can then be referenced from other data to make learner performance data portable and easily understood across a learner’s career. (more) |
Institutional Data Competency Data |
1. Data Dict 2. Data Model 3. Serialization |
HigherEd Workforce Military |
Healthcare Professional Profile | MedBiquitous | MedBiquitous Healthcare Professional Profile: The Healthcare Professional Profile provides a standard format for profile data on healthcare professionals, making it easier to exchange and compile data across organizations. (more) |
Student Data Institutional Data |
1. Data Dict 2. Data Model 3. Serialization |
HigherEd Workforce Military |
MedBiquitous Virtual Patient | MedBiquitous | MedBiquitous Virtual Patient: Virtual Patients are interactive computer programs that simulate real life clinical scenarios for educational purposes. The MedBiquitous Virtual Patient standard (MVP) enables the exchange of virtual patients across systems and institutions. (more) |
Content Metadata Content Packaging & Integration |
1. Data Dict 2. Data Model 3. Serialization |
HigherEd Workforce Military |
EDI | NIST | Electronic Data Interchange: An older data transmission standard. In education, the principal use is exchange of student transcript data between institutions. (more) |
Foundational | 4. Protocol | HigherEd Workforce Military |
Academic Record | PESC | PESC Academic Record: Uses Core Main. Includes information that would appear on a transcript including test score reporting. (more) |
Student Data Institutional Data |
1. Data Dict 2. Data Model 3. Serialization |
HigherEd Workforce |
Admissions Record | PESC | PESC Admissions Record: Uses Core Main. Includes admissions specific information. (more) |
Student Data Institutional Data |
1. Data Dict 2. Data Model 3. Serialization |
HigherEd |
Core Main | PESC | PESC Core Main: Base information related to core data related to the person, course, and grade. Serves as the foundation for all other PESC standards. (more) |
Student Data Educator Data Institutional Data Competency Data |
1. Data Dict 2. Data Model 3. Serialization |
HigherEd Workforce |
Common Credential | PESC | PESC Common Credential for Certificates, Degrees and Diplomas: An XML Data Standard to be used by any organization, college, university, school, district, state, province, and/or service provider to fully communicate degrees, certifications and other similar credentials obtained by the student. (more) |
Student Data Institutional Data Competency Data |
1. Data Dict 2. Data Model 3. Serialization |
Secondary HigherEd Workforce |
ePortfolio | PESC | PESC ePortfolio: The Academic ePortolio schema facilitates the transmission of eportfolio data from one eportfolio system to another. (more) |
Student Data | 1. Data Dict 2. Data Model 3. Serialization |
HigherEd |
EOC | Schema.org | Educational or Occupational Credential: A diploma, academic degree, certification, qualification, badge, etc., that may be awarded to a person or other entity that meets the requirements defined by the credentialer. Developed and submitted to Schema.org by the W3C EOC Community Group. (more) |
Student Data Institutional Data |
1. Data Dict 2. Data Model |
Secondary HigherEd Workforce |
FERPA | U.S. Government | Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act: A U.S. Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. (more) |
Design & Practice | ||
Section 508 | U.S. Government | Section 508 Accessibility Requirements: U.S Federal Government Requirements for accessibility of IT applications. (more) |
Design & Practice | PK Primary Secondary HigherEd Workforce Military |
|
CEDS | US Ed | Common Education Data Standards: Data Dictionary and Logical Data Model for representing educational data of all sorts. (more) |
Competency Data Student Data Educator Data Content Data |
1. Data Dict 2. Data Model |
All |
HTML | W3C | HyperText Markup Language: Standard format for web content. Many applications and standards make use of HTML format content. (more) |
Foundational | 3. Serialization | |
WCAG | W3C | Web Contnet Accessibility Guidelines: A set of guidelines for ensuring that web content is accessibe to people with disabilities. (more) |
Design & Practice | All | |
XML | W3C | EXtensible Markup Language: A common format for representing digital content and data. Many educational data formats are based on XML. (more) |
Foundational | 3. Serialization | All |
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