Non-normative Descriptor Classifications

Descriptors have been provided a non-normative classification to help provide adopters with useful info on how different descriptors are typically treated in data exchanges based.

There are four non-normative classifications: Standard, Orthodox, Flexible, and Local.

Classification	Definition	Examples
Standard	The community usage is generally  highly standardized(but not perfectly standardized), sometimes due to strong standards like EDFacts reporting. There is reason to believe that with sufficient governance a set of values that can work for a large majority of use cases is possible.	SchoolFoodServiceProgramService
Orthodox	The community is mostly standardized, but exceptions and localization are not infrequent. Ed-Fi's sample descriptor values will include a list that mirrors the standardization seen in the community.	GradeLevel
Flexible	The community is somewhat standardized, or there is one or more common, broadly-adopted vernacular classifications around the concept. Local usage may be completely at odds with the vernacular, and that is to be expected in some cases. Ed-Fi's sample descriptor values will generally include a "starter" set of values that mirror the most common vernacular.	InternetAccess
Local	The option set values are highly localized in nearly all cases. Ed-Fi's sample values will generally only illustrate possible values, or not provide any Ed-Fi defined values at all.	GradingPeriod

Most Commonly-Used Descriptors

There are over 160 descriptors in the core Ed-Fi data model and many more in domains under development or proposed for introduction into the core model. Not all of them will be relevant to your organization's use of Ed-Fi.

Generally, the descriptors that matter most to your organization initially will be those involved in data exchanges between systems. That list will generally depend on the APIs your organization is using.

A good first list to pay attention to are the descriptors that are required in an Ed-Fi API certification, as these must be implemented by compliant systems. By API, those descriptors are:

Core Student API

• AcademicSubjectDescriptor
• AddressTypeDescriptor
• AttendanceEventCategoryDescriptor
• BehaviorDescriptor
• BirthCountryDescriptor
• CalendarEventDescriptor
• CalendarTypeDescriptor
• CareerPathwayDescriptor
• ClassroomPositionDescriptor
• CohortScopeDescriptor
• CohortTypeDescriptor
• CountryDescriptor
• CourseAttemptResultDescriptor
• CourseIdentificationSystemDescriptor
• CourseLevelCharacteristicDescriptor
• CteProgramServiceDescriptor
• DisciplineDescriptor
• EducationalEnvironmentDescriptor
• EducationOrganizationCategoryDescriptor
• ElectronicMailTypeDescriptor
• EntryGradeLevelDescriptor
• EntryTypeDescriptor
• ExitWithdrawTypeDescriptor
• GradeLevelDescriptor
• GradePointAverageTypeDescriptor
• GradingPeriodDescriptor
• GraduationPlanTypeDescriptor
• GradeTypeDescriptor
• HighestCompletedLevelOfEducationDescriptor
• HomelessPrimaryNighttimeResidenceDescriptor
• IncidentLocationDescriptor
• LanguageDescriptor
• LanguageInstructionProgramServiceDescriptor
• LanguageUseDescriptor
• LevelOfEducationDescriptor
• LimitedEnglishProficiencyDescriptor
• MonitoredDescriptor
• NeglectedOrDelinquentProgramDescriptor
• NeglectedOrDelinquentProgramServiceDescriptor
• ParticipationDescriptor
• ProficiencyDescriptor
• ProgramAssignmentDescriptor
• ProgramTypeDescriptor
• RaceDescriptor
• RelationDescriptor
• ReporterDescriptionDescriptor
• ResidencyStatusDescriptor
• SchoolFoodServiceProgramServiceDescriptor
• SexDescriptor
• SpecialEducationSettingDescriptor
• StaffClassificationDescriptor
• StateAbbreviationDescriptor
• StudentCharacteristicDescriptor
• StudentIdentificationSystemDescriptor
• StudentParticipationCodeDescriptor
• TechnicalSkillsAssessmentDescriptor
• TelephoneNumberTypeDescriptor
• TermDescriptor
• TitleIPartAParticipantDescriptor

Assessment Outcomes API

• AcademicSubjectDescriptor
• AssessmentReportingMethodDescriptor
• ResultDatatypeTypeDescriptor

tip

Also see: Descriptor Guidance