Please refer to the errata for this document, which may include some normative corrections.
This document is also available in these non-normative formats: ZIP archive, PDF (for printing as a single file).
Copyright ©2006 Schools Interoperability Framework (SIF™) Association. All Rights Reserved.
The Schools Interoperability Framework (SIF) is not a product, but a technical blueprint for enabling diverse applications to interact and share data related to entities in the pK-12 instructional and administrative environment. SIF is designed to:
The SIF Implementation Specification defines:
These are known collectively as the SIF Infrastructure. The SIF Implementation Specification also defines the SIF Data Model:
A SIF Zone is a distributed system that consists of a ZIS and one or more software applications with a SIF Agent (a SIF-enabled application) sharing/reporting one or more SIF data objects over a network. A SIF Implementation consists of one or more SIF Zones deployed and configured to meet customer data sharing and reporting needs.
The SIF Implementation Specification defines architecture requirements and communication protocols for software components and the interfaces between them; it makes no assumption of specific hardware or sofware products needed to develop SIF-enabled applications and Zone Integration Server implementations, other than their ability to support technologies leveraged as the foundation for SIF, most prominently XML and HTTP(S).
The Schools Interoperability Framework Association (SIFA) is an industry initiative to enable interoperability and data sharing between software applications in the pK-12 instructional and administrative environment, and the forum for companies and educators to participate in the development of SIF specifications in SIFA's working groups and task forces. SIFA is designed to:
The information, software, products, and services included in the SIF Implementation Specification may include inaccuracies or typographical errors. Changes are periodically added to the information herein. SIFA may make improvements and/or changes in this document at any time without notification. Information contained in this document should not be relied upon for personal, medical, legal, or financial decisions. Appropriate professionals should be consulted for advice tailored to specific situations.
SIFA, ITS PARTICIPANT(S), AND THIRD PARTY CONTENT PROVIDERS MAKE NO REPRESENTATIONS ABOUT THE SUITABILITY, RELIABILITY, TIMELINESS, AND ACCURACY OF THE INFORMATION, SOFTWARE, PRODUCTS, SERVICES, AND RELATED GRAPHICS CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT FOR ANY PURPOSE. ALL SUCH INFORMATION, SOFTWARE, PRODUCTS, SERVICES, AND RELATED GRAPHICS ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. SIFA AND/OR ITS PARTICIPANT(S) HEREBY DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES AND CONDITIONS WITH REGARD TO THIS INFORMATION, SOFTWARE, PRODUCTS, SERVICES, AND RELATED GRAPHICS, INCLUDING ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES AND CONDITIONS OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT.
IN NO EVENT SHALL SIFA, ITS PARTICIPANT(S), OR THIRD PARTY CONTENT PROVIDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, PUNITIVE, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, OR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS, ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH THE USE OR PERFORMANCE OF THIS DOCUMENT, WITH THE DELAY OR INABILITY TO USE THE DOCUMENT, THE PROVISION OF OR FAILURE TO PROVIDE SERVICES, OR FOR ANY INFORMATION, SOFTWARE, PRODUCTS, SERVICES AND RELATED GRAPHICS OBTAINED THROUGH THIS DOCUMENT OR OTHERWISE ARISING OUT OF THE USE OF THIS DOCUMENT, WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR OTHERWISE, EVEN IF SIFA, ITS PARTICIPANT(S), OR THIRD PARTY CONTENT PROVIDERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF DAMAGES. BECAUSE SOME STATES/JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES, THE ABOVE LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. IF YOU ARE DISSATISFIED WITH ANY PORTION OF THIS DOCUMENT OR WITH ANY OF THESE TERMS OF USE, YOUR SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDY IS TO DISCONTINUE USING THIS DOCUMENT.
This specification is released with the following provisos to developers and educators.
Though a product may be demonstrated to comply with this specification, no product may be designated as SIF Certified™ by an organization or individual until the product has been tested against and passed established compliance criteria, published separately. Organizations and individuals that are currently paying annual membership dues to SIFA and dedicating resources to the initiative may also use the designation SIF Participant to describe their involvement with SIFA and SIF in marketing, public relations and other materials.