Championing Interoperability for Schools

Interoperability is the seamless, secure, and controlled exchange of data between applications. Solving the data interoperability challenges facing districts and schools is critical to giving teachers the information they need to do their jobs and to enabling innovation in classroom practices.

WSIPC is committed to championing interoperability between all applications offered through our Cooperative, that’s why we signed the Project Unicorn Pledge.

What is Project Unicorn?
The Project Unicorn Product Library is a free hub for educators and vendors. Educational technology products (from vendors who have signed the Project Unicorn Pledge) are listed in the library, along with their interoperability rating. Educators can search the library for products, and can see how Project Unicorn has rated the interoperability of each product.

WSIPC has been awarded the highest rating (rating 4) on the Project Unicorn Index, for Qmlativ and SMS 2.0. This ranking index rates systems based on a number of interoperability factors including data quality, granularity, import, export, security, and frequency.

WSIPC signed the Project Unicorn Pledge in July 2019 to do the following:

• Create and promote a clear definition of data interoperability

• Support the adoption of standards for K-12 data exchange

• Empower districts and vendors to put in place strong data security and privacy safeguards

Tell Me More About Project Unicorn
In April 2016, a group of over 25 educators from some of the most innovative public schools in the country gathered in Brooklyn for the first Data Whiz Summit. This group crafted unique projects that aimed to solve common “pain points,” to further innovation and lead to better student outcomes.

Many of these projects and pain points had a common origin: an inability to use the information that schools had already collected. As the educators and school leaders in the room discussed these issues and possible solutions, it became clear that being able to securely compare and analyze the data schools had already collected would help improve existing systems. These conversations helped create Project Unicorn.

About WSIPC
WSIPC is a non-profit cooperative that provides technology solutions (including Qmlativ and SMS 2.0), services, and support to K-12 schools. WSIPC’s purpose is to help schools do more with every dollar and to empower them with the tools to work smarter. To learn how your district can become a part of the WSIPC Cooperative, contact us at info@wsipc.org or 425.349.6600.

WSIPC. Inspired by education. Empowered by technology.^TM

Image credit: Mitchell Luo