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Assessing data quality for Minnesota state reporting

Validate your MARSS and Ed-Fi data in jmc to identify errors early and support a smooth submission to the Minnesota Department of Education.

Written by Rachel Cox
Updated this week

jmc helps you proactively identify and resolve state reporting errors before submitting data to the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE). Whether you’re preparing MARSS A and B files or submitting through Ed-Fi, jmc provides tools to review your data for accuracy, flag potential issues, and make corrections with confidence.

Checking for MARSS A and B File Errors

MARSS A (school) files capture school-level information used by the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) to calculate state aid, levy authority, and federal grant allocations. MARSS B (student) files contain detailed student records used for student accounting and funding determinations, including indicators such as Gifted and Talented status, English Learner start dates, Primary Disability codes, and Title I services. jmc’s built-in data validation tools simplify state reporting by identifying MARSS file errors before submission. Clear, plain-language messages and direct guidance help staff quickly pinpoint and correct issues, supporting accurate data and smoother reporting to MDE.

  • "Check Errors" button: runs a validation scan on MARSS data to identify missing information, formatting issues, or inconsistencies that could cause errors when submitting to the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE)

  • Student Information Errors Report: displays a list of errors showing the student’s name, the data field containing the issue, and a description of the problem in that field.

Checking for Errors in Ed-Fi

Ed-Fi data sent to the MDE also includes school-level information and student records, just like the MARSS A and B files. This essential data is transmitted as districts update calendars and maintain student records throughout the year. jmc streamlines this process by automatically preparing and sending the required data, while built-in validation tools help identify potential issues so districts can correct them and support accurate reporting to MDE.

  • "Print Summary" button: generates a PDF of the current error report to reference while correcting issues or to share with jmc Technical Support when troubleshooting.

  • Summary Report: displays updated records and records with errors. Errors are highlighted in blue and include details such as grade level, student ID, course name and number, and the Ed-Fi resource that needs correction.

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