Jason Hoekstra

Ed-Fi Admin API

January 2024 C# .NET API Design Docker PostgreSQL Ed-Fi
Ed-Fi Admin API

Modern administrative control plane for Ed-Fi ODS/API platforms, replacing legacy tools with a secure, automation-friendly API for SaaS, agency-managed, and cloud-native deployments.

The Challenge

Prior Ed-Fi administration relied on a legacy Admin App that interacted directly with the database, was not scalable or automation-friendly, and did not align with modern cloud or security practices. States, agencies, and vendors lacked a formal administrative API to support automated provisioning, enable custom admin portals, and scale multi-version Ed-Fi deployments safely.

Role & Ownership

  • Senior Program Manager, Product Owner, and Effort Lead
  • Defined product vision and platform architecture
  • Led technical design, delivery, and hardening
  • Owned cross-version strategy, deployment patterns, and security posture
  • Drove adoption across SaaS providers and agency-managed implementations

Technical Approach

Designed and delivered a system-level Administrative API for the Ed-Fi ODS/API ecosystem, replacing direct database administration with a service-oriented control plane.

  • Enabled automated cloud-based deployments, custom administrative portals, and script-driven provisioning
  • Architected for multi-version support including Ed-Fi ODS/API 5.x, 6.x, and separate track for 7.x
  • Implemented using .NET Minimal APIs for high performance and reduced attack surface
  • Delivered as a Docker-complete, composable service
  • Supported PostgreSQL and Microsoft SQL Server backends
  • Successfully passed an independent third-party security assessment with minimal required changes

Key Results

  • Widely adopted across SaaS vendors and agency-managed Ed-Fi implementations
  • Fully replaced the legacy Admin App as the primary administrative mechanism
  • Enabled more efficient deployment pipelines and custom-built admin portals
  • Established the foundational administrative layer required for modern, cloud-scale Ed-Fi deployments
  • Made multi-version ODS/API management operationally feasible at scale

Technologies

C#, .NET Minimal APIs, Docker, Docker Compose, PostgreSQL, Microsoft SQL Server, Ed-Fi ODS/API

View Documentation | GitHub Repository