By John Lovell, Technology Director, A4L Community

In the evolving world of data standards, JSON-LD has emerged as a powerful and innovative way to define data models, particularly in the education sector. As data needs expand and systems evolve, the transition to more flexible and interoperable standards has become essential. JSON-LD, with its ability to support rich, linked data
models, is at the forefront of this shift. In the Access 4 Learning (A4L) Community, we’ve been witnessing this change not just within our own efforts but also through the work of our friends at HR Open Standards, the Common Education Data Standards
(CEDS), and the Postsecondary Electronic Standards Council (PESC).

Among these organizations, A4L’s collaboration with PESC stands out, particularly in the development of PESC’s first JSON-LD standard focused on the
College Transcript. This marks a significant step forward for the education
community. JSON-LD enables data models to be more readable, developer-friendly, and flexible, a critical requirement as systems become more complex. PESC’s commitment to laying the groundwork for future standards is evident in their approach. At their JSON-LD Standards Development Resources page, they’ve outlined how they plan to structure, validate, and clarify not just the College Transcript standard, but future ones as well.

PESC is working to create a comprehensive suite of tools and resources to assist organizations in developing JSON-LD standards. These resources include templates and guidelines to support the creation of key elements like Application Profiles, Context Files, SHACL Specifications for validation, and JSON Schemas for structural integrity. Each component is being designed to ensure that standards remain robust, interoperable, and easy to implement. This collection will also feature practical examples and implementation guides, which are essential for ensuring that developers and stakeholders alike can effectively work with JSON-LD standards.

Together, A4L and PESC are working towards a future where JSON-LD be comes the cornerstone of data standards in education, supporting seamless data exchange and enhancing the flexibility and reliability of educational technologies. As these collaborations continue, we can expect to see a growing number of interoperable, efficient, and developer-friendly standards that support the needs of the entire education community. For more information and to explore PESC’s latest developments, you can visit their JSON-LD Standards Development Resources
page.

View this article in the A4L Community Quarterly Newsletter (PDF)