Education Data Exchange (EDX)

Last updated on November 20, 2024

 

Education Data Exchange

Welcome to the info hub for the new Education Data Exchange (EDX). This resource is for staff in schools and districts responsible for providing 1601 and 1701 data to the Ministry of Education & Child Care.

Subscribe at the bottom of the page for news and updates.

If you have questions about timelines, onboarding or engagement, email educationdataexchange@gov.bc.ca

If you have questions related to collections, email data.management@gov.bc.ca 


On this page: 

Training

Dedicated training sessions are scheduled for late November, December and January to familiarize schools and districts with the new 1701 collection process through EDX. Email educationdataexchange@gov.bc.ca with your name, your school or district, and the date and time you can attend, and we'll forward a meeting invite. 

School districts:

1. November 26, 10 to 11 am:

  • A walk-through of the collection process for district users up to submitting to the ministry.

2. December 3, 10 to 11 am:

  • A repeat of the November 26 session.

3. January 14, 10 to 11 am:

  • Review session.

Public schools:

1. November 26, 1 to 2 pm:

  • A walk-through of the collection process for school users up to submitting to districts.

2. December 5, 10 to 11 am:

  • A repeat of the November 26 session.

3. January 14, 1 to 2 pm:

  • Review session.

Independent schools:

1. November 28, 10 to 11 am:

  • A walk through of the collection process for school users up to submitting to the ministry.

2. December 4, 10 to 11 am:

  • A repeat of the November 28 session.

3. January 16, 10 to 11 am:

  • Review session.

What is EDX?

EDX is a new data collection platform that's modernizing how schools and districts submit 1601 and 1701 data to the ministry. 

DYK? 1601 & 1701 collections are named for the original forms used to collect the different data sets. 

  • 1601 verifies data from schools, such as school names and addresses. 
  • 1701 collects information about individual students, including name, birth date, and grade level. 

Timeline & phases

Phase 1: Winter 2023 to Fall 2024

Key functions: 

  • Self-serve information updates (1601): The ability for schools and districts to update their own details and contact info directly in EDX.  
  • Secure messaging: A  protected avenue for schools to share personal student information with the ministry. Examples include, providing student ID to update demographic information linked to Personal Education Numbers (PEN).

What you need to know: 

EDX's self-serve information feature has replaced the 1601 collection form. Schools and districts can now update their own details and contact information.  

Updates made in EDX will auto-populate the new School & District Contact Information website. Schools and districts are responsible for ensuring the public-facing information is correct. 

Schools and districts should be using secure messaging to share personal student information with the ministry related to PEN updates. 

Phase 2: February 2025

Key function:

  • Streamlined 1701 collections: A simplified process for submitting 1701 data through EDX. 

What you need to know: 

The ministry is hosting a series of training sessions leading up to the first 1701 collection through EDX in February. Dates and times are listed at the top of this page.


Resources & FAQs

School districts  

EDX roles & features

Depending on your position, you will be onboarded with access to one or more EDX roles and features. 

1. District account manager: District account managers are users with access to all EDX features. Staff with this role are responsible for managing EDX roles and users at the district level. They also have the ability to oversee EDX roles and users at the school level. 

2. District info administrator: Staff assigned this role have the ability to edit both district and school contacts and details. 

3. Secure messaging: District users assigned this role can access both district and school secure messaging inboxes. 

4. Edit student data collection: District users assigned this role can upload, edit and submit student-level data (1701) to the ministry on behalf of their districts, and provide final sign-off of their submission. 

5. View student data collection: District users assigned this role can view all schools' student-level data and subsequent reports in their district. 

User guides

Account manager calls

For recordings of the September 25 and November 6 school district account manager calls, please email educationdataexchange@gov.bc.ca.

District training videos 

1. EDX dashboard and roles: A dashboard overview and run down of system roles and features for district users.

2. Adding district and school users to EDX: A step-by-step for adding district and school users to EDX.

3. Editing and managing district and school contacts: A walk through of how to add, edit and manage school and district contacts, such as principal names and phone numbers. 

4. Using secure messaging: A how-to on using EDX's secure messaging feature to share private student data with the ministry. 

5. Editing and managing school and district details: A walk through of editing and managing school and district details, such as addresses and phone numbers. 

District FAQs

 

What positions should be onboarded to EDX? 

Who has access to EDX is at the discretion of districts, but it is recommended that staff already responsible for 1601 be onboarded ASAP. Staff responsible for 1701 can be onboarded closer to February 2025 when the streamlined collections process launches.

 

Can one EDX account be assigned to a position versus an individual to help manage staff turnover?

For optimum protection of student data, accounts are bound to one individual using their own email and Microsoft credentials. Read the full EDX terms of use.

If needed, a staff member’s individual user account can be granted access to multiple schools and districts.

If a staff member is leaving a school or district, and no longer requires access, the account manager will need to remove them.

To assist with managing staffing changes, EDX has an expiry date feature. This can be set for staff with finite work terms. There is also an account management function that allows account managers to move users between schools.

 

Can districts constrain EDX access to the district level? Do districts have to onboard schools?

Districts have full discretion over how they want to manage 1601 and 1701 collections.

Districts do not have to onboard schools to EDX if they’d prefer to centralize both processes.

 

Does EDX replace the existing process for requesting Personal Education Numbers (PEN)?

EDX will not replace the process for requesting new PENs.

The difference is EDX’s secure messaging function will be used for updating information for students with existing PENs. The intent is to strengthen protection of student data and ensure compliance with provincial privacy legislation. 

 

What does Student Registration refer to in EDX? 

Student Registration is the new name for a school's PEN contact. 

 

Will EDX replace existing ministry systems, such as TRAX or the School Secure Web.

In the short term, no. Other ministry systems will continue to function as they do now. 

The only impact will be to School Level Data web (SLD), but not until February 2025 when the streamlined 1701 process through EDX is introduced. 

 

Will I be notified of secure messages? Do I have to be logged into to EDX to see them?

Yes, you'll be notified when the ministry responds to a secure message, and no, you don't need to be in the system to receive it. A notification will go to the email associated with your account. To view the message, you will need to login to EDX and access the secure messaging feature.

 


Public schools 

EDX roles & features

Depending on your position, you will be onboarded with access to one, two or all of EDX's roles and features. 

1. School account manager: School account managers are responsible for managing users and assigning roles at the school level. They can also give others permission to be account managers. 

2. School info administrator: Those assigned this role can edit school contacts and school details. Exceptions are changing the name of a school or amending its designation as open or closed. 

3. Secure messaging: Users assigned this role can access the school's secure messaging inbox, used for sharing personal student information with the ministry. Examples include, providing ID to update a student's demographic information and/or finding PENs for students. It is important to note, however, that EDX does not replace the existing process for requesting PENs.

4. Edit student data collection: School users assigned this role can upload, edit and submit student-level data (1701) to the ministry on behalf of their district and update the school's contacts and details. 

5.  View student data collection: School users assigned this role can view all their school's student-level data and subsequent reports.

User guides

Public school training videos 

The following modules provide a step-by-step overview of EDX's key features. 

1. EDX dashboard & roles 

2. Adding school users to EDX

3. Editing & managing school contacts

4. Using secure messaging 

5. Editing and managing school details 

Public school FAQs

 

Will I be onboarded to EDX? 

Who has access to EDX is at the discretion of schools and districts, but it is recommended that staff already responsible for 1601 be onboarded ASAP. Onboarding staff responsible for 1701 submissions can be completed closer to February 2025, when the streamlined collections process is introduced. 

 

How will I be onboarded to EDX?

Steps and trouble shooting tips are available in the EDX account activation guide

 

Can multiple people use one account? 

For optimum protection of student data, accounts are bound to one individual using their own email and Microsoft credentials. Read the full EDX terms of use.

 

Does EDX replace the existing process for requesting Personal Education Numbers (PEN)?

EDX will not replace the process for requesting new PENs.

The difference is EDX’s secure messaging function will be used for updating information for students with existing PENs. The intent is to strengthen protection of student data and ensure compliance with provincial privacy legislation. 

 

What does Student Registration refer to in EDX? 

Student Registration is the new name for a school's PEN contact. 

 

Will EDX replace existing ministry systems, such as TRAX or the School Secure Web?

In the short term, no. Other ministry systems will continue to function as they do now. 

The only impact will be to School Level Data web (SLD), but not until February 2025, when the streamlined 1701 process through EDX is introduced. 

 

Will I be notified of secure messages? Do I have to be logged into  EDX to see them?

Yes, you'll be notified when the ministry responds to a secure message, and no, you don't need to be in the system to receive it. A notification will go to the email associated with your account. To view the message, you will need to login to EDX and access the secure messaging feature.

 


Independent schools

EDX roles & features

Depending on your position, you will be onboarded with access to one, two or all of EDX's roles and features. 

1. School account manager: School account managers are responsible for managing users and assigning roles at the school level. They can also give others permission to be account managers. 

2. School info administrator: Those assigned this role can edit school contacts and school details. Exceptions are changing the name of a school or amending its designation as open or closed. 

3. Secure messaging: Users assigned this role can access the school's secure messaging inbox, used for sharing personal student information with the ministry. Examples include, providing ID to update a student's demographic information and/or finding PENs for students. It is important to note, however, that EDX does not replace the existing process for requesting PENs.

4. Edit student data collection: School users assigned this role can upload, edit and submit student-level data (1701) to the ministry and update the school's contacts and details. 

5.  View student data collection: School users assigned this role can view all their school's student-level data and subsequent reports. 

User guides

Independent school training videos

The following modules provide a step-by-step overview of EDX's key features. 

1. EDX dashboard & roles 

2. Adding school users to EDX

3. Editing & managing school contacts

4. Using secure messaging 

5. Editing and managing school details 

Independent school FAQs

 

Will I be onboarded to EDX? 

Who has access to EDX is at the discretion of your school account manager, but it is recommended that staff already responsible for 1601 be onboarded ASAP. Onboarding staff responsible for 1701 can be completed closer to February 2025, when the streamlined process launches.  

 

How will I be onboarded to EDX? 

Steps and trouble shooting tips are available in the EDX account activation guide

 

Do I use my Personal BCeID to access to EDX? 

No. You will need a Basic BCeID, which is a government issued credential that offers secure access to ministry services, but doesn't require verification of your identity with official documentation. Learn more

 

Can multiple people use one account? 

For optimum protection of student data, accounts are bound to one individual using their own email and Microsoft or Basic BCeID credentials. Read the full EDX terms of use.

 

Does EDX replace the existing process for requesting Personal Education Numbers (PEN)?

EDX will not replace the process for requesting new PENs.

The difference is EDX’s secure messaging function will be used for updating information for students with existing PENs. The intent is to strengthen protection of student data and ensure compliance with provincial privacy legislation. 

 

What does Student Registration refer to in EDX? 

Student Registration is the new name for a school's PEN contact. 

 

Will EDX replace existing ministry systems, such as TRAX or the School Secure Web?

In the short term, no. Other ministry systems will continue to function as they do now. 

The only impact will be to School Level Data web (SLD), but not until February, 2025 when the streamlined 1701 process through EDX is introduced. 

 

Will I be notified of secure messages? Do I have to be logged into  EDX to see them?

Yes, you'll be notified when the ministry responds to a secure message, and no, you don't need to be in the system to receive it. A notification will go to the email associated with your account. To view the message, you will need to login to EDX and access the secure messaging feature.

 

Is secure messaging used to communicate with school inspectors? 

No. Secure messaging is for the purpose of sharing personal student information with the ministry. Communication with school inspectors will continue as it does now.  

 

What is the role of authorities in EDX? Will they have access?

Onboarding to EDX will only occur at the school level. Changes to authority information will be managed by the ministry's Independent Schools Office. Details for that process are to come. 

 

What do I do if I haven't been onboarded yet, but need to update my school's information? 

If you represent an independent school or independent authority and have not yet been onboarded to EDX, please email the Independent Schools Office to update your contact information.

 


Non-independent First Nation schools

EDX roles & features

Depending on your position, you will be onboarded with access to one, two or all of EDX's roles and features. 

1. School account manager: School account managers are responsible for managing users and assigning roles at the school level. They can also give others permission to be account managers. 

2. School info administrator: Those assigned this role can edit school contacts and school details. Exceptions are changing the name of a school or amending its designation as open or closed. 

3. Secure messaging: Users assigned this role can access the school's secure messaging inbox, used for submitting reciprocal tuition files and sharing personal student information with the ministry. Examples include, providing ID to update a student's demographic information and/or finding PENs for students. It is important to note however that EDX does not replace the existing process for requesting PENs. 

User guides

Non-independent First Nation school training videos

The following modules provide a step-by-step overview of EDX's key features. 

1. EDX dashboard & roles 

2. Adding school users to EDX

3. Editing & managing school contacts

4. Using secure messaging 

5. Editing and managing school details 

Non-independent First Nation school FAQs

 

Will I be onboarded to EDX? 

Who has access to EDX is at the discretion of your school account manager, but it is recommended that staff already responsible for 1601 be onboarded ASAP. Staff responsible for submitting reciprocal tuition files should also be onboarded for access to the secure messaging feature.   

 

How will I be onboarded to EDX? 

Steps and trouble shooting tips are available in the EDX account activation guide

 

Do I use my Personal BCeID to access EDX? 

No. You will need a Basic BCeID, which is a government issued credential that offers secure access to ministry services, but doesn't require verification of your identity with official documentation. Learn more

 

Can multiple people use one account? 

For optimum protection of student data, accounts are bound to one individual using their own email and Microsoft credentials or Basic BCeID. Read the full EDX terms of use.

 

Does EDX replace the existing process for requesting Personal Education Numbers (PEN)?

EDX will not replace the process for requesting new PENs.

The difference is EDX’s secure messaging function will be used for updating information for students with existing PENs. The intent is to strengthen protection of student data and ensure compliance with provincial privacy legislation. 

 

What does Student Registration refer to EDX? 

Student Registration is the new name for a school's Personal Education Number (PEN) contact. 

 

Do I use EDX to submit reciprocal tuition paperwork? 

Yes. Secure messaging should be used for submissions to ensure student data is protected. 

 


Offshore schools

EDX roles & features

Depending on your position, you will be onboarded with access to one, two or all of EDX's roles and features. 

1. School account manager: School account managers are responsible for managing users and assigning roles at the school level. They can also give others permission to be account managers. 

2. School info administrator: Those assigned this role can edit school contacts and school details. Exceptions are changing the name of a school or amending its designation as open or closed. 

3. Secure messaging: Users assigned this role can access the school's secure messaging inbox, used for sharing personal student information with the ministry. Examples include, providing ID to update a student's demographic information and/or finding PENs for students. It is important to note however that EDX does not replace the existing process for requesting PENs. 

4. Edit student data collection: School users assigned this role can upload, edit and submit student-level data (1701) to the ministry and update the school's contacts and details. 

5.  View student data collection: School users assigned this role can view all their school's student-level data and subsequent reports. 

User guides

Offshore school training videos

The following modules provide a step-by-step overview of EDX's key features. 

1. EDX dashboard & roles 

2. Adding school users to EDX

3. Editing & managing school contacts

4. Using secure messaging 

5. Editing and managing school details 

Offshore school FAQs

 

Will I be onboarded to EDX? 

 If you receive an EDX activation email, that means your Offshore School Representative (OSR) has selected you as an EDX point person for your school.

 

How will I be onboarded? 

Steps and trouble shooting tips are available in the EDX account activation guide

 

Can multiple people use one account? 

For optimum protection of student data, accounts are bound to one individual using their own email and Microsoft credentials or Basic BCeID. Read the full EDX terms of use.

 

Does EDX replace the existing process for requesting Personal Education Numbers (PEN)?

EDX will not replace the process for requesting new PENs.

The difference is EDX’s secure messaging function will be used for updating information for students with existing PENs. The intent is to strengthen protection of student data and ensure compliance with provincial privacy legislation. 

 

What does Student Registration refer to in EDX? 

Student Registration is the new name for a school's Personal Education Number (PEN) contact. 

 

Will I be notified of secure messages? Do I have to be logged in to EDX to see them? 

Yes, you'll be notified when the ministry responds to a secure message, and no, you don't need to be in the system to receive it. A notification will go to the email associated with your account. To view the message, you will need to login to EDX and access the secure messaging feature.

 


Terms of use

All users are required to read and understand the terms for accessing EDX with a Microsoft or Basic BCeID credential. Each EDX user must have their own log in credential. Sharing of passwords or other access details are prohibited to protect student privacy. 

 

EDX terms of use 

TERMS OF USE – EDX (PHASE I)

(version 1.0, November 29, 2023)

These Terms of Use are between the individual accessing EDX (“you”, “You”, “your” or “Your”) and His Majesty the King in Right of the Province of British Columbia, represented by the Minister of Education (the “Province”, “our”, “Our”, “we” or “We”), and govern your use of the Province’s Education Data Exchange (“EDX”).

Subject to these Terms of Use, EDX (the “Service”) is made available by the Province for use by the personnel of the following entities, each a “District” for the purposes of these Terms of Use: (a) a “school district” as that term is defined in the British Columbia School Act, (b) an offshore educational organization that has been “pre-certified” or “certified” by the British Columbia Offshore School Program; (c) a “school board” as that term is defined in the Yukon Education Act; (d) a “school authority” as that term is defined in the British Columbia Independent School Act; and (e) a “First Nations Education Authority” as that term is defined in the British Columbia First Nations Education Act. You may access the Service using the Microsoft ID issued to you by your District (the “EDX Credential”) or your BCeID (where permitted by the Province, in its sole discretion). The extent of your access to the Service depends on the permissions assigned by your District in the profile associated with your Microsoft ID or BCeID.

By indicating that you agree to these Terms of Use or using the Service, and in consideration of the use of the Service, you agree unconditionally to these Terms of Use.

1. Authority and Ability to Accept Terms of Use

You represent and warrant that: (a) you are at least 19 years of age; and (b) you are authorized to access and use the Service in connection with your responsibilities on behalf of the District.

2. Your Obligations

2.1 General

You acknowledge and agree that you are responsible for:

  1. complying with these Terms of Use;
  2. unauthorized use of your EDX Credential;
  3. complying with policies and procedures for the acceptable use of Province and District technology, including the Province’s Appropriate Use Policy or your District’s equivalent policy;
  4. immediately reporting any actual or suspected unauthorized use of your EDX Credential to your District;
  5. seeking any and all necessary support you may require in connection with your use of your EDX Credential from your appropriate District resource.

2.2 Compliance with Laws, Policies and Standards

When using the Service, you must comply with all applicable laws, as well as any policies and standards applicable to you.

3. Ownership 

The Service, and all other information and works made available, displayed or transmitted in connection with the Service, including without limitation data, text, audio, video, trademarks, trade names, logos, domain names, images, graphics, graphical user interface elements and designs, in any form or medium whatsoever (collectively, the “Content”), are owned by the Province or its licensors and are protected by copyright, patent, trademark and other laws protecting intellectual property rights. You must not, and must ensure that Your Users do not, use any Content except as expressly permitted under these Terms of Use.

4. Right to Access

Subject to your compliance with these Terms of Use, the Province grants you a non-exclusive, revocable, limited right to access and use the Service and the Content for authorized District purposes, and for no other purpose. You must not copy, distribute, republish, transmit or otherwise exploit any part of the Service or the Content, and the Province expressly reserves all intellectual property rights in and to the Service and the Content. If your use of the Service is terminated under section 6, the rights described in this section 4 automatically terminate.

5. Our Obligations

We will:

  1. provide the Service as described in these Terms of Use; and
  2. provide you with information with respect to your use of the Service, which may include a Province contact.

6. Suspension or Termination

The Province may at any time, in its sole discretion, suspend or terminate your use of the Service, in whole or in part:

  1. if you fail to comply with any provision of these Terms of Use;
  2. as a security measure;
  3. for administrative purposes; or
  4. for any other reason.

Where the Province suspends the use of the Service under this section 6, the Province may, in its sole discretion, restore such use where the Province is satisfied that the reason for the suspension has been resolved.

7. Changes to Service and/or Terms of Use

Notwithstanding anything else in these Terms of Use, the Province may at any time, in its sole discretion and without direct notice to you:

  1. discontinue the Service; or
  2. make changes to the Service and/or these Terms of Use.

By continuing to use the Service, you will be conclusively deemed to have accepted any changes to these Terms of Use.

8. Acceptable Use

Without limiting any other term of these Terms of Use, you must not take any action in connection with the use of the Service that would jeopardize the security, integrity and/or availability of the Service, including without limitation:

  1. using the Service for any unlawful or inappropriate purpose;
  2. decompiling, disassembling, reverse engineering or otherwise copying any software associated with the Service;
  3. tampering with any portion of the Service;
  4. using the Service to transmit any virus or other harmful or destructive computer code, files or programs or to conduct hacking and/or intrusion activities;
  5. attempting to circumvent or subvert any security measure associated with the Service;
  6. taking any action that might reasonably be construed as likely to adversely affect other users of the Service; or
  7. removing or altering any proprietary symbol or notice, including any copyright notice, trademark or logo, displayed in connection with the Service.

9. Service Provided “As Is”

The Service is provided to you “as is”, and the Province disclaims all representations, warranties, conditions, obligations and liabilities of any kind, whether express or implied, in relation to the Service, including without limitation implied warranties with respect to merchantability, satisfactory quality, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement. Without limiting the general nature of the previous sentence, the Province does not represent or warrant that:

  1. the Service will be available;
  2. the Service will be secure;
  3. your use of the Service will be timely, uninterrupted or error free;
  4. any errors in the Service will be corrected; or
  5. the Service will meet your expectations and requirements.

10. No Liability

  1. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, under no circumstances will the Province be liable to any person or entity for any direct, indirect, special, incidental, consequential or other loss, claim, injury or damage, whether foreseeable or unforeseeable (including without limitation claims for damages for loss of profits or business opportunities, use or misuse of, or inability to use, the Service, interruptions, deletion or corruption of files, loss of programs or information, errors, defects or delays) arising out of or in any way connected with your or any of Your Users’ use of the Service and whether based on contract, tort, strict liability or any other legal theory.  The previous sentence will apply even if the Province has been specifically advised of the possibility of any such loss, claim, injury or damage.
  2. You acknowledge and agree that Microsoft expressly disclaims all warranties or liabilities in connection with the Service.

11. General

These Terms of Use  are the entire agreement between you and the Province with respect to the Service. The headings in these Terms of Use are inserted for convenience only and will not be used in interpreting or construing any provision of these Terms of Use. In these Terms of Use: (a) “including” is not intended to be limiting, regardless of whether it is expressly stated not to be so; and (b) terms defined in the singular include the plural and vice versa, as the context requires. If any provision of these Terms of Use is invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that provision will be severed from these Terms of Use and all other provisions will remain in full force and effect. These Terms of Use will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the province of British Columbia and the applicable laws of Canada. By using the Service, you consent to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the courts of the province of British Columbia, sitting in Victoria, for the hearing of any dispute arising from or related to these Terms of Use and their subject matter.

 


Related projects 

EDX is just one part of the ministry's work to build a new data management program that's more flexible, integrated and catered to emerging needs. 

The TRAX to GRAD Modernization Project is another stream of work aimed at transforming the management of student graduation records and achievement data for grades 10 to 12 to make the information collected clearer and more accessible to schools and students.