Jason Hoekstra

EASOL Dashboard

August 2017 PHP Ed-Fi Analytics Dashboard Google Classroom Chrome Extension

Educator and Student Open Learning dashboard - a role-based analytics platform with Ed-Fi data store, Learning Lab content library, and Google Classroom integration.

The Challenge

New Mexico’s Public Education Department operated multiple disconnected data systems that lacked standardization. The infrastructure couldn’t support real-time analysis needed for timely educational decisions affecting 338,000 students. Districts were limited to static reports that were slow to produce and difficult to adapt, and data lived in silos across student information systems, LMS platforms, and external content sources.

Role & Ownership

  • Architect & Implementation Consultant
  • Designed the overall dashboard architecture and data interaction model
  • Led implementation and deployment for participating districts
  • Worked directly with stakeholders to translate reporting needs into a usable analytics experience

Technical Approach

Built the Educator and Student Open Learning (EASOL) Dashboard - a role-based analytics platform powered by an Ed-Fi Alliance data store.

Core Dashboard Features:

  • Role-based access - Different views for data administrators, principals, and educators
  • Customizable home dashboards per school and role with bar charts, pie charts, and tabular listings
  • Student information views - Demographics, contacts, sections, attendance, assessments, and cohorts
  • Flex Reports - SQL-driven custom report builder for data administrators to create tailored visualizations
  • Data Management - Upload interface for 200+ Ed-Fi data objects with CSV templates
  • CSV export on all reports for Excel analysis

Learning Lab Integration:

  • Content library with 100,000+ curated K-12 digital resources
  • Filters by subject, publisher, resource type, grade level, and standards (Common Core, NGSS)
  • Chrome extension for Google Classroom integration - search and assign content directly within assignments
  • Learning analytics tracking student online time, pages visited, and videos watched per section

Authentication:

  • Email/password and Google Apps for Education single sign-on

Key Results

  • Replaced static reports with dynamic, interactive dashboards
  • Enabled real-time data analysis at every level from state to classroom
  • Integrated content discovery with 100,000+ educational resources
  • Provided learning analytics for 1:1 and blended learning programs
  • Successfully deployed statewide across New Mexico
  • Released as open source for any district to deploy

Technologies

PHP, Ed-Fi Data Store, Google Classroom API, Chrome Extensions, Google Apps for Education, Common Core Standards, NGSS