Using RM Compare to Link Assessment Data with External Systems: A Privacy-First Approach

By Mark House

In educational settings (and many others), the ability to connect assessment data with external systems is incredibly valuable for gaining deeper insights into student performance. RM Compare provides a unique way to achieve this while prioritising data privacy and adhering to strict data protection standards. By leveraging the Item name as a linking field, RM Compare enables schools to integrate assessment outcomes with external datasets—such as those in a School Management Information System (MIS)—without compromising student anonymity.

How It Works: The Item Name as a Linking Field

In RM Compare, each piece of student work is represented as an "Item." Schools, for example, can configure the Item name using a pseudonymised identifier, such as the Unique Pupil Number (UPN). The UPN is widely used in UK schools as a unique and consistent identifier for students. Here’s how this approach works:

Anonymity in RM Compare

Within the RM Compare system, the UPN acts as an anonymous identifier, ensuring that judges cannot see any personally identifiable information (PII) about students. This keeps the assessment process impartial and secure.

Linking with External Systems

  • The UPN is also stored in external systems like the School MIS, where it is linked to detailed student records (e.g., demographics, attendance, or prior performance).
  • After completing the assessment process in RM Compare, schools can export results as a CSV file containing UPNs and associated assessment data.

Joining Data Sets

  • The exported CSV from RM Compare can be joined with data from the School MIS using the UPN as the linking field.
  • This creates a unified dataset that combines rich assessment insights from RM Compare with broader contextual information from the MIS

RM Compare: Acting as a Data Service, Not a Data Processor

It’s important to note that in this context, RM Compare operates as a Data Service rather than a Data Processor. This distinction is critical:

  • As a Data Service, RM Compare does not process or store any PII directly. Instead, it uses pseudonymised identifiers (like UPNs) to ensure that sensitive information remains entirely within the control of the school or organization.
  • This approach aligns with data protection regulations, such as GDPR, by keeping PII securely within external systems like the School MIS while enabling schools to derive meaningful insights from assessment data.

Benefits of This Approach

By using RM Compare in this way, schools can unlock several key benefits:

  • Enhanced Privacy: The use of pseudonymised identifiers ensures that student identities remain protected throughout the assessment process.
  • Deeper Insights: Schools can analyse assessment outcomes alongside other student data (e.g., attendance or prior attainment) for more comprehensive evaluations. See Advanced Reporting.
  • Compliance with Regulations: By acting as a Data Service and not handling PII directly, RM Compare supports compliance with GDPR and other privacy standards.
  • Efficiency and Flexibility: The ability to easily join datasets enables schools to streamline their workflows and make data-driven decisions more effectively. We work with a number of organisations,including Merrick Education, who have experise in this area in the schools sector.

A Practical Example

Imagine a school conducting assessments using RM Compare. Each student's work is labeled with their UPN as the Item name. Once the assessments are complete, teachers export a CSV file from RM Compare containing UPNs and judgment results. Separately, they extract data from their School MIS—including student demographics or prior grades—and join these two datasets using the UPN field. This combined dataset allows for powerful analysis while ensuring that sensitive personal information never enters RM Compare.

Making Item naming easier

We are working hard to make the Item naming experience in RM Compare the best it can be - we understand it's importance. Watch out for updates in the new year.

Conclusion

RM Compare’s ability to act as a secure Data Service makes it an ideal tool for linking assessment results with external systems like School MIS platforms. By leveraging pseudonymised identifiers such as UPNs, schools can maintain strict privacy standards while gaining valuable insights into student performance. This privacy-first approach ensures that educational institutions can confidently use RM Compare to enhance their assessment processes without compromising compliance or trust.