Website www.a4l.org | Founded 23 April 2003 | |
Headquarters Washington, D.C., United States Type of business Corporation (not-for-profit) | ||
The Access For Learning Community, or A4L, is a global, not-for-profit corporation committed to providing solutions in the education data space and supporting the use of standards by schools, districts, states, countries, and education vendors. It was formerly known as the Schools Interoperability Framework Association, or SIFA. The name was changed in May 2015.
Contents
A4L members collaborate on a variety of technical standards sometimes collectively known as the Schools Interoperability Framework.
A4L publishes these standards, and advocates their adoption and provides training and support services. It also offers an SIF Certification trademark licensing program, administered on its behalf by The Open Group.
The organization includes more than 1000 members as of 2015, including government agencies, school districts, public advocacy organization and vendors of Schools Interoperability Framework products.
History
Founded as a working group for "Schools Interoperability Framework" in 1997 by vendors under the auspices of the Software and Information Industry Association. In April 2003, SIFA was incorporated and activities within SIF project of the SIIA were transferred to the current corporation. On May 20, 2015 the name of the organization was changed to the Access For Learning Community.
Organization
A4L Members elect officials every year for terms on the Association's Board of Directors. Each regional Technical Board is composed of the Lead of each A4L Project Team and Task Force and four members elected At-Large by the membership. The A4L Technical Board Members serve a one-year term.
Members
A4L members collaborate on a variety of technical standards sometimes collectively known as the Schools Interoperability Framework (or "SIF").