Skip to content

Getting Started for Users#

Welcome to the EDU getting started guide for users! If you're querying and analyzing data from an EDU data warehouse, you're in the right place. This guide builds on what you saw in the general overview and focuses specifically on what users need to know to effectively query, analyze, and work with EDU data.

What you'll be responsible for as a user#

At a high level, users work with the EDU data warehouse to extract insights and answer questions about education data. That includes:

  • Connecting to the data warehouse
  • Understanding the dimensional data model and table structure
  • Writing SQL queries to extract the data you need
  • Building reports, dashboards, and visualizations
  • Interpreting and analyzing education data for decision-making

What the EDU Data Warehouse Includes#

Before you start querying, it helps to understand the main components that make up the EDU data warehouse. Once EDU is set up, you'll typically have access to:

  • A data warehouse containing:
    • Raw tables with data extracted directly from the Ed-Fi API
    • Dimensional tables organized for analytics (dimensions and facts)
    • Quality control and inventory tables for data governance
  • Documentation generated by dbt that describes the data model, tables, and relationships

To see what domains of data are available (attendance, assessment, enrollment, grades, programs, etc.) and which tables to use, see Data domains and key tables in the Reference section. The modules below will introduce you to these components and help you use them effectively.

Training Modules#

Follow these modules in order to build your skills:

Module Description
1. Data Warehouse Overview Understand the architecture, components, and structure of the EDU data warehouse
2. Understanding Table Structure Deep dive into EDU's table structure and conventions
3. Authenticating and Connecting Learn how to connect to your data warehouse
4. Navigating the Snowflake UI Explore the Snowflake interface and key features
5. Writing Queries with EDU Write your first SQL queries against EDU data
6. dbt Docs Navigate and use dbt documentation effectively

Choose a module above to begin your journey as an EDU user.